module specification

The module builds upon learning from earlier modules and examines the background and drivers for sustainable built environments. It will explore the move to sustainable built environments, responses at different scales, and how a sustainable built environment is being encouraged, assessed, and enforced across the globe. Through studying this module, you will be required to consider how factors such as climate change, urbanisation and decarbonisation are impacting the built environment.

The knowledge gained will enable you to understand the contributions a sustainable built environment can make towards a low carbon future.

By the end of the module, you should be able to evaluate the following:

• the contribution of technology towards a sustainable built environment
• the drivers for change, including climate change and the population shift towards urbanisation
• appropriate responses at various scales towards maintaining and sustaining the wider environment
• techniques that can be adopted to reduce our built environment operational energy demand
• the different types of infrastructure and their role in achieving sustainable built environments
• the impact and effectiveness of legislation, regulations, assessment schemes and other mechanisms.
• how to adapt the existing built environment to mitigate against the effects of climate change and the barriers to doing this.
• contributions built environment professionals and their professional bodies make towards sustainable built environments

The syllabus is informed by the course syllabus and reading material alongside contemporary issues, research, and practice within the built environment. Topics will include:
• The sustainability agenda, past and present (LO1)
• Proportionate responses to creating a sustainable built environment (LO2)
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly and the construction project cycle (LO1, 2)
• Advances in material science and construction technology (LO1,2,4)
• Designing resilience in the existing built environment and barriers (LO3)
• Management and mitigation of waste (LO1,2,4)
• United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDG) (LO2, 3)
• Sustainable infrastructure (LO2, 3)
• Environmental accreditation and certification schemes (LO3)
• Case studies - local, national and global (LO2, 5)
• The contributions of the professions (LO4,6)
• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (LO3, 4, 5)

A blended/ technology enhanced learning approach will be employed in the delivery of this module. Students will engage in discussions on topical areas concerning sustainability in the built environment. The contact sessions will encourage students to discuss ideas and consider a variety of case studies from around the globe. The online content will provide students with a formal, structured framework within which to approach their research.  Tasks will be performed through group and independent study, to develop critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Where appropriate, activities will be captured and made available to allow asynchronous access.

Case studies will be diverse in project type and seminars and workshops will include taking the projects on a journey around the globe to use material that explores and develops the student’s critical awareness of how different factors, such as availability of natural resources, social capital, globalisation and micro/macroeconomics influence approaches to embracing, postponing or ignoring the need for a sustainable built environment.

Throughout the module student output’s will be reviewed, and formative feedback will be given to ensure clarity and comprehension.

The learning and teaching in classes will be supported by the University’s VLE and a blended learning approach, sharing class materials, recommended reading, and case studies. Group tutorials will also be offered to support students in the preparation of their assessments, with opportunities for students to receive forward feedback.

You will reflect on your learning which will contribute towards your online Professional Development Journal (PDJ).

On completion of the module the student, operating independently and applying their knowledge and skills, should be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the key drivers behind the need for a sustainable built environment.
2. Appraise measures through which sustainable built environments are encouraged around the globe including accreditation schemes, and legislation.
3. Judge measures to mitigate the irreversible effects of climate change and barriers to sustainability relating to existing built environment.
4. Investigate the contributions built environment professionals and professional bodies make towards ethical, sustainable built environments.
5. Generate responses based on evidence from research and practice.

The 2 module assessments test the student’s knowledge and understanding that should have been developed throughout the module. The student will be able to negotiate with the module team the geographical location within which they place their coursework 2, to promote diversity of scenarios and ensure the project is inclusive.  This will allow students to bring their own personal, academic, workplace and cultural backgrounds into the module assessment. 

Students will be supported throughout their assessment preparations through having access to formative feedback which will be available throughout the module, during lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Coursework 1: Individual Presentation (10-minute presentation plus Q&A) 25%

Coursework 1 is an individual presentation in which the student presents a case study of a project of their choice which is a driver towards a sustainable built environment. The project can be of any size and located anywhere in the world. The project brief will provide more detail about the scope of the coursework.

Assessment choice is provided to the students who can agree with the module team the format of the presentation which, for example, could be live in person, a recorded talking head video, or a recorded PowerPoint presentation with commentary. If recorded, then there will still be a scheduled opportunity for Q&A.

Coursework 2: Individual Report (2250 words) 75% 

Coursework 2 is an individual submission and requires students to produce a report in the form of a development proposal for a piece of land.  The development proposal must incorporate the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDG) and must have a golden thread that explains how it achieves the client’s strategic objective of a sustainable development, utilising innovative approaches to the design, construction methodologies and operational energy performance and measurement of the built environment asset. 

The project brief will provide more detail about the constraints, aims and objectives of the development.

There is no single text currently in publication that provides a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of this module.

Sustainability is a fast-developing area of study and there are regular new entrants into the arena, including textbooks, industry reports and web publications.  Students will benefit from taking themselves on a journey of discovery to see what resources are available and what conflicting opinions exist.

There are several books which cover various parts of the module in some detail, and these are listed in the core text list.

Core:-
Armstrong, J. (2023) The Future of Energy. Energy Technology Publishing.
Berners-Lee, M (2021) There Is No Planet B. Updated edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Goodall, C. (2020) What We Need to Do Now: For a Zero Carbon Future. London: Profile Books.
Goodall, C. (2013) Sustainability: All That Matters. London: Hodder & Stoughton

There is excellent coverage of topical events within the construction and real estate sector available via several online publications, and events which can be found on websites such as:
UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)
World Green Building Council (WGBC)
Ellen Macarthur Foundation – Circular economy
Better Buildings Partnership (BBP)
Building Research Establishment (BRE)
CIOB Global Construction Review
Association for Project Management news
RICS news and insight – Future of Surveying - Sustainability
United Nations Climate Action
Construction Management Magazine