Sustainability of the Built Environment

Recommended Prerequisites

Construction Materials; Building Physics

Teaching Methods

There will be theory and practical classes, where the course content will be taught using audio-visual media. Examples of practical applications will be demonstrated. When possible, students will be asked questions with a view to leading them to new knowledge.
Student evaluation will be based on an individual synthesis work, a group project undertaken by groups of 3 students and including a public presentation in class, and a final written exam.

Learning Outcomes

To understand the concept of sustainability
To understand the impact of the construction industry on the environment
To understand the issues related to sustainable design
To learn evaluation criteria for sustainable construction
To acquire skills to make sustainable choices regarding materials and technologies.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Basics of sustainable constructio
1.1 Sustainable Development and Sustainable Construction – definitions and vocabulary
1.2 Ethics and sustainability
1.3 Major environmental and resource concerns
1.4 Sustainable construction assessment – life cycle analysis; green building assessment systems
2. Sustainable construction design
2.1 The sustainable site and landscape
2.2 Energy and carbon footprint reduction
2.3 Management of storm water and drinking water
2. 4 Sustainability of construction materials
2.5 Indoor environmental quality
3. Sustainable construction implementation
3.1 Construction operations
3.1.1 Site protection planning
3.1.2 Managing indoor air quality during construction
3.1.3 Construction materials management
3.1.4 Construction and demolition waste management
3.2 Building comissioning
3.3 Economic aspects of sustainable construction

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Synthesis work: 20.0%
Project: 30.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

Charles J. Kibert, Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery, John Wiley & Sons, 2008
F. Pacheco Torgal, Said Jalali, A sustentabilidade dos materiais de construção, TecMinho, Braga, 2010.
Bjørn Berge, The ecology of building materials, Elsevier, 2009.