Construction Industry and Environment

This subject is not offered in 2015.

170 hours

Admission into one of the following courses:

MC-ARCH Master of Architecture
MC-ARCH2Y Master of Architecture (200 points)
MC-ARCH3Y Master of Architecture (300 points)
MC-LARCH Master of Landscape Architecture
MC-LARCH2Y Master of Landscape Architecture (200 points)
MC-LARCH3Y Master of Landscape Architecture (300 points)
MC-CM Master of Construction Management
MC-CONMG2Y Master of Construction Management (200 points)
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points)
MC-PROP Master of Property
MC-PROP2Y Master of Property (200 points)
MC-PROP3Y Master of Property (300 points)

Or approval from the subject coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject aims to develop an understanding and awareness of the life cycle environmental effects of building design and construction, including the approaches that can be used to assess and minimise them, with a particular emphasise on life cycle assessment.

Through an introduction to environmental assessment, including ‘input-output analysis’, this subject articulates the many linkages connecting construction to the rest of the national economy, the production underlying it, and the resources consumed in the process.

Organised as an advanced seminar, the subject will expose students to the latest developments in environmental assessment techniques and their application within the built environment.

• To develop an awareness of the current techniques for quantifying and assessing environmental effects.
• To teach students how to use environmental assessment techniques to improve the environmental performance of the construction industry.
• To provide a theoretical framework for macro-scale examinations of the construction industry.
• To build an appreciation for the position of construction within natural and economic environments.
• To supply analytical and critical tools for the evaluation of construction strategies at industry and project level.

• Class participation (10%), including involvement in class discussion and activities, demonstrating an understanding of environmental issues and the use of life cycle assessment in construction.
• Environmental Assessment Report equivalent to 1200 words (20%) due in week 7, analysing the environmental performance of a construction project.
• Peer review of 600 words (10%) due in week 9, critically analysing the work of others, providing constructive feedback and demonstrating an understanding of life cycle assessment.
• Environmental Improvement Report equivalent to 3500 words (combining the Environmental Assessment Report) (35%) due in week 11, identifying solutions and making recommendations for the improvement to the environmental performance of a construction project.
• Class presentation of 20 minutes (25%) held in week 12, communicating the major findings of the professional report and highlighting improvements to the environmental performance of a construction project.

R. Crawford, Life Cycle Assessment in the Built Environment, London, 2011.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills and capabilities:

• Ability to capture and analyse data to make informed decisions;
• Ability to map or imagine construction-related connections within the economy;
• Ability to present environmental performance information in a range of formats;
• Ability to appreciate the indirect consequences of construction activity;
• Ability to critically evaluate the work of others and provide constructive feedback.