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FutureLearn

Sustainable Construction and Development

London South Bank University and CIOB via FutureLearn

Overview

Explore sustainability in the built environment

In the face of the climate crisis, we must ensure that our activities today, and the society we are a part of, do not compromise future generations’ ability to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is one way we can recognise our responsibility for the future and act with better intent.

On this five-week course, you’ll learn about the obligations and actions that impact sustainable development in the built environment.

Exploring the need for environmental, economic, and social sustainability, you’ll discover the implications this has on the construction industry and learn the best practices from successful sustainability initiatives.

Unpack environmental sustainability and the green building solution

You’ll delve into environmental sustainability, understanding what it is and how it relates to the construction industry.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to explore the environmental implications of built assets as well as potential solutions such as green building.

Discover the barriers and tools to achieve economic sustainability

Next, you’ll explore economic sustainability and how it can help support long-term growth without negatively impacting future generations.

You’ll unpack the barriers to economic sustainability before learning how to navigate these challenges with tools and techniques such as sustainable project management.

Understand social sustainability

Finally, you’ll unpack social responsibility and its role within the built environment. You’ll explore issues such as equality, diversity, and exploitation to understand how to minimise an organisation’s impact on people.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to implement sustainability in the construction industry to help build a better future.

This course is designed for anyone interested in sustainable construction and development.

It may be of particular interest if you are working in, or studying, construction and the wider built environment.

Syllabus

  • Putting Sustainability into the context of the Built Environment
    • Getting Started
    • Global Issues and Challenges
    • The Foundations of Sustainable Development
  • Environmental Sustainability
    • What is Environmental Sustainability?
    • So What Can Be Done?
    • The Future
  • Economic Sustainability
    • What is Economic Sustainability?
    • The Tools of Economic Sustainability
    • Economic Sustainability in Action
  • Social Sustainability
    • What is Social Sustainability?
    • Key Issues in Social Sustainability
    • Moving Towards Sustainability
  • Building on the Three Pillars
    • Combining the Pillars
    • Let's Hear from the Experts
    • Reflection and Where you Go from Here

Taught by

Adrian Montague

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