This course aims to equip the learner with the role of the built environment in contributing to the current global challenges, namely: climate change; ecosystem crisis, resource consumption, energy demand, and biodiversity loss. The learner will acquire both qualitative notions and quantitative techniques to meaningfully engage with the regional and global sustainability discourse. The quantitative aspect will be primarily focused on life cycle assessment (LCA), but other existing techniques (such as material flow analysis, and input output assessments) will also be introduced briefly.
Course Prerequisites
Basic mathematical knowledge is required, some understanding of matrix calculus is preferred. Basic knowledge of main building and construction materials, as well as main terms of building designs, construction and operation. Basic knowledge of building physics, heat transfer and heat losses. Good proficiency with spreadsheets.
Teaching Methods
The teaching method consists of in-person lectures in the classroom alternated with frequent formative assessments in the form of quizzes, numerical exercises, and brief surveys (e.g. through sli.do).
Assessment Methods
The learner is evaluated through both an oral examination (consisting of a group project presentation) and a numerical exercise (consisting in the assessment of one building project where the whole life carbon impacts need to be analysed).
Texts
- Embodied Carbon in Buildings: Measurement, Management, and Mitigation - Carbon: A Field Manual for Building Designers - The Hitch Hiker's Guide to LCA: An Orientation in Life Cycle Assessment Methodology and Applications
Contents
- Introduction to sustainability science in the built environment - Urbanisation challenges and resource use - Pillars of sustainability - Carbon tunnel vision - Net zero carbon - Embodied vs. operational carbon - Systems thinking and possible solutions - Timber - Electrification - Hotspot analysis in sustainability screenings - Carbon sources and carbon sinks - Introduction to Life cycle assessment - ISO/EN standards and agreed methodology - Goal and scope definition - Life Cycle inventory - Life Cycle Impact assessment - Interpretation - Standards for the built environment - Uncertainty analysis - Sensitivity analysis - Environmental product declarations (EPDs) - Product Category Rules (PCRs) - Embodied and whole life carbon assessments - Benchmarks and rules of thumbs vs. detailed assessments - Carbon hotspots - Available tools - Carbon design principles
