This study examines how academia–industry partnerships can be enhanced to promote sustainable building practices in sub-Saharan Africa, a region facing rapid urbanization, climate risks, and resource constraints. The research addresses the gap in existing frameworks that often overlook local context, material lifecycle, and the role of early adopters in sustainable construction. A conceptual framework was developed featuring the following seven core components: adaptation, technology, material lifecycle, early adoption, transformation, policy, and sustainability. The methodology involves a detailed literature review, a comparative analysis of existing global and regional frameworks, and case studies from countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Findings revealed that context-specific adaptation strategies, access to digital tools, use of local materials, and strong policy support drive successful partnerships. Past projects like Kenya’s KOSAP, South Africa’s Green Star system, Makoko Floating School in Nigeria, and Burkina Faso’s use of earth bricks validated the framework’s relevance and flexibility. The study concludes that academia and industry can effectively collaborate when supported by structured processes, training, and policy alignment. These findings contribute to the fields of architecture and urbanism by offering a practical, scalable, and inclusive framework suited to Sub-Saharan realities. The study recommended further research into digital integration, cross-border cooperation, and culturally responsive design to build upon these results and support long-term sustainable development in the region.

This study explored the role of zeolite and AI-driven initiatives in sustainable construction, particularly for net-zero and climate-adaptive buildings. A quantitative, scientometric, and narrative review was conducted using bibliometric analysis of existing publications from the Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify research trends, key contributions, and technological advancements. The findings revealed that zeolite enhances construction materials by improving thermal regulation, air purification, and carbon capture, while AI optimises energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, and material performance. A cost–benefit analysis showed that integrating zeolite and AI in construction materials reduces long-term energy costs and enhances building sustainability. Comparisons with previous studies highlighted the increasing adoption of these technologies due to their environmental and economic benefits. This study concluded that the combination of zeolite and AI provides innovative solutions for green construction, offering energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and cost-effective building materials.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore supply chain resilience and operations management practices in the construction industry, with a particular focus on the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. The study addressed a significant gap in the literature regarding the impact of these advanced technologies on the construction sector’s ability to anticipate, respond to and recover from disruptions. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology employed a bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database to identify key trends, influential publications and emerging research areas using keywords such as “supply chain”, “operations management”, “Industry 4.0”, “Industry 5.0” and “construction”. This approach allowed for a quantitative evaluation of existing literature, offering insights into the intellectual structure of the field. Findings: The findings revealed that while Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT and AI, have enhanced the construction industry’s supply chain visibility and efficiency, the shift towards the Industry 5.0 paradigm introduces a human-centric approach that further strengthens resilience through collaboration and sustainability. Practical implications: The study’s practical implications suggest to both industry and academia that embracing Industry 5.0 principles could significantly enhance the construction industry’s resilience, enabling it to withstand disruptions better and maintain project quality, timelines, and budgets in an increasingly complex global environment. Originality/value: This research examines the shift from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 within construction supply chains, offering a novel perspective on integrating these technologies.

Introduction: The integration of advanced materials and digital technologies into construction is essential for achieving energy efficiency and sustainability, with graphene-zeolite smart flooring offering a multifunctional solution to enhance building performance.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from a survey of 53 construction professionals with a bibliometric analysis of 179 Scopus-indexed publications using VOSviewer.Results: The survey revealed strong industry support for smart materials and technologies that promote energy savings and address environmental concerns, while the bibliometric review identified research clusters in thermal energy storage, nanomaterials, and digital construction systems. Graphene-zeolite composites were found to improve thermal conductivity, enable passive heat storage and release, and enhance air quality through adsorption, with compatibility for integration with artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and digital twin technologies to support real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.Discussion: Despite these promising attributes, the absence of empirical testing on thermal performance and long-term durability underscores the need for further validation and field studies. These findings contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, SDG 9, and SDG 13) and highlight future research priorities, including scalable manufacturing, lifecycle assessment, and integration across diverse building typologies to fully realise the potential of graphene-zeolite smart flooring in the built environment.