Elements of Sustainable Construction Life CycleLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

After completion of the course, the student:
• knows the the basic regulatory practices of construction
• understands the concept of life cycle analysis and its role in evaluating the sustainability aspects of the built environment
• is aware of the stages of construction life cycle
• can describe the tasks and parties involved during the different stages of the construction life cycle
• is aware of the planetary ecological boundaries, climate change and biodiversity loss
• understands the three dimensions of sustainable development as a systemic whole and can argue the interdependencies between them
• is aware of the European regulations related to digital and green transition
• is able to identify the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and how the goals are promoted within U!REKA cities
• is aware of the sustainability focus within U!REKA European University Alliance.

Content

The course consists of two different modules. The first module provides an overview of the construction industry, including basic construction regulatory practices. The second module introduces sustainable construction and life cycle thinking in construction.

Module 1:
• Process and tools for land use and construction
• Construction project documentation and drawings
• The phases of a building project and parties involved
• Typical building types and main building solutions
• Space and structural design solutions of single family houses
• Water management of the building facade, roof and related environment
• The basics of infrastructure construction

Module 2:
• Heat, water, fire and acoustic insulation
• HVAC space reservations
• Concept of life cycle analysis and its role in evaluating the sustainability aspects of the built environment
• The stages of construction life cycle as well as the tasks and parties involved during the different stages of the construction life cycle
• Awareness of the values and mindset behind the sustainability shift
• Sustainability: systemicity and the ecological planetary boundaries
• Ecological, social and economic sustainability
• EU regulations related to digital and green transition
• Sustainable development in European cities, case studies

Qualifications

No prerequisites

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to
• give examples of land use and construction guidance
• differentiate between building types and recognise building components
• give examples of the principles of infrastructure construction
• give examples of thermal and sound insulation as well as water proofing and fire protection materials
• give examples of space allocation for building services technology
• explain the concept of life cycle analysis of a building
• recognise the role of life cycle analysis in the assessment of the built environment from the perspective of sustainable development
• list the stages of the construction life cycle and the tasks and parties involved in the different stages.

In addition, the student
• understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected
• is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition
• has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

In addition to the above, the student is able to
• explain and interpret processes and tools for guiding land use and construction
• explain the characteristics of the built environment and buildings
• explain the principles of infrastructure construction using examples
• explain different insulation needs for a building
• explain the need of space allocation for building services technology using examples
• understand the role of life cycle analysis in the assessment of the built environment from the perspective of sustainable development
• describe the stages of the construction life cycle and the tasks and parties involved in the different stages.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

In addition to the above, the student is able to
• analyse and compare different guiding mechanism in construction
• make use of the principles of infrastructure construction
• utilise life cycle analysis in the assessment of the built environment from the perspective of sustainable development
• deeply understand the stages of the construction life cycle and the tasks and parties involved in the different stages and apply the knowledge to relevant tasks.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to
• give examples of land use and construction guidance
• differentiate between building types and recognise building components
• give examples of the principles of infrastructure construction
• give examples of thermal and sound insulation as well as water proofing and fire protection materials
• give examples of space allocation for building services technology
• explain the concept of life cycle analysis of a building
• recognise the role of life cycle analysis in the assessment of the built environment from the perspective of sustainable development
• list the stages of the construction life cycle and the tasks and parties involved in the different stages.

In addition, the student
• understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected
• is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition
• has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.