101-0577-00L  An Introduction to Sustainable Development in the Built Environment

SemesterAutumn Semester 2016
LecturersG. Habert
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
101-0577-00 GAn Introduction to Sustainable Development in the Built Environment2 hrs
Tue14:45-16:30HIL E 4 »
G. Habert

Catalogue data

AbstractThis year the UN Conference in Paris will shape future world objectives to tackle climate change.
This course provides an introduction to the notion of sustainable development when applied to our built environment
ObjectiveAt the end of the semester, the students have an understanding of the term of sustainable development, its history, the current political and scientific discourses and its relevance for our built environment.

In order to address current challenges of climate change mitigation and resource depletion, students will learn a holistic approach of sustainable development. Ecological, economical and social constraints will be presented and students will learn about methods for argumentation and tools for assessment (i.e. life cycle assessment).

For this purpose an overview of sustainable development is presented with an introduction to the history of sustainability and its today definition as well as the role of cities, urbanisation and material resources (i.e. energy, construction material) in social economic and environmetal aspects.

The course aims to promote an integral view and understanding of sustainability and describing different spheres (social/cultural, ecological, economical, and institutional) that influence our built environment.

Students will acquire critical knowledge and understand the role of involved stakeholders, their motivations and constraints, learn how to evaluate challenges, identify deficits and define strategies to promote a more sustainable construction.

After the course students should be able to define the relevance of specific local, regional or territorial aspects to achieve coherent and applicable solutions toward sustainable development.

The course offers an environmental, socio-economic and socio-technical perspective focussing on buildings, cities and their transition to resilience with sustainable development. Students will learn on theory and application of current scientific pathways towards sustainable development.
ContentThe following topics give an overview of the themes that are to be worked on during the lecture.

- Overview on the history and emergence of sustainable development
- Overview on the current understanding and definition of sustainable development

- Case Study 1: Sustainable construction, the role of construction industry (national/international)
- Case Study 2: Cities, forms of settlements
- Case Study 3: Material resources, scenarios, energy, construction materials, urban metabolism
- Case Study 4: Buildings, heating/cooling, consumers, prosumers and other stakeholder, cooperations

- Method 1: Life cycle assessment (planning, construction, operation/use, deconstruction)
- Method 2: Economics for sustainable construction
- Method 3: Construction, flexibility, modularity

- Synthesis 1: Climate Change mitigation and adaptation in cities
- Synthesis 2: Transition to sustainable development
Lecture notesAll relevant information will be online available before the lectures. For each lecture slides of the lecture will be provided.
LiteratureA list of the basic literature will be offered on a specific online platform, that could be used by all students attending the lectures.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersG. Habert
Typeend-of-semester examination
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionThe performance assessment is only offered at the end after the course unit. Repetition only possible after re-enrolling.
Additional information on mode of examinationOne short graded test during the semester (30%): Multiple Question Choice

One final exam (70%): written exam, Comment on a major scientific paper and/or news article

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

There are no additional restrictions for the registration.

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Architecture MasterConstruction / Building TechnologyWInformation
Civil Engineering MasterMajor in Construction and Maintenance ManagementOInformation
Energy Science and Technology MasterElective Core CoursesWInformation
Integrated Building Systems MasterSpecialised CoursesWInformation
Environmental Sciences MasterMinor in Life Cycle AssessmentWInformation