The global shift toward a circular economy, vital for tackling climate change and resource security, necessitates the integration of circular principles in the construction sector. Urban planning, significant in shaping the built environment, offers an opportunity for implementing these principles comprehensively. However, limited implementation in area development projects is observed due to ambiguity in design themes, timing of strategy definition, and lack of coordination in urban planning. This research addresses these gaps, focusing on integrating circularity in different urban area development phases. The methodology employed a qualitative case-based design study involving a literature review and comparative case study. It identified eleven crucial circular design themes through a systematic literature review. Furthermore barriers, accelerators, and lock-in moments in area development processes were identified through the comparative case stud. These findings have been combined, resulting in the development of eleven phase-wise guidelines for circular area development processes. These guidelines, validated through stakeholder input, encompass change management elements and recommendations for overcoming barriers, thereby optimizing the incorporation of circular design strategies. The guidelines, usable in all process stages, strike a balance between clarity and flexibility, enhancing stakeholder engagement and decision-making. However, further research is recommended to generalize findings, explore the practical application of evaluation sessions, and address technological barriers hindering the transition to a circular economy.