Mary Myla Andamon

Transformative Learning: Innovating Sustainability Education in Built Environment.

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate how transformative learning is key to innovating sustainability education in the built environment in the region’s universities, in addition to reporting on the research project undertaken to integrate sustainability thinking and practice into engineering/built environment curricula in Asia-Pacific universities. Design/methodology/approach – The project drew from the experiences of academics in built environment programmes and espoused a collaborative inquiry process wherein the role of the industry was vital. A literature review focusing on sustainability integration into curricula was followed by a workshop which brought together academic and industry participants. Findings – The general direction of education for sustainability is moving increasingly towards integration and innovation. However, the slow progress of integration of sustainability in the built environment curricula may have been due in part to the outcome/practice-led approach of built environment edu...

Aligning goals for sustainable outcomes: Case study of a university building in Australia

The importance of universities goes beyond teaching and undertaking research. Universities can shape cities due to the significant number of buildings they occupy, large amounts of resources they consume and the high number of staff and students attending them. With many universities teaching subjects relating to sustainable planning, design, management, cities and society, they present an opportunity to lead by example and act as urban learning labs for a transition to a low carbon future. This chapter presents analysis from a post-occupancy evaluation of a Green Star rated university building in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to the analysis of building performance data, interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders involved across the design, construction and occupation of the building. A Building User Satisfaction survey was also undertaken for occupants. The analysis identified a number of key successes as well as a number of challenges. Learnings from the research are applicable not just to academic institutions but to the wider built environment industry in shaping the sustainability of the built environment.

Cohesion: Our Environment—Building Better and Smarter

The world is rapidly changing. Climate change is recognised as one of the greatest challenges facing the world today, and Australia is not an exception (see Chapter “ Urban Climates in the Transformation of Australian Cities”). Environmental degradation is mainly due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. We are already seeing changes to weather patterns and more extreme and frequent weather events. This impacts on our built environment, our cities and our way of life. For example, hotter weather causes rising electricity demand due to increased requirements for cooling in buildings. A changing climate is also creating significant health and well-being challenges, especially during extreme weather events. The built environment is a significant contributor to rising greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing energy demand over recent decades, mostly from fossil fuel, needs to be addressed if the built environment is to transition to a low carbon and sustainable future. This chapter touches on the key themes emerging from the preceding chapters and discusses what they mean for achieving a sustainable built environment, not only in Australia but globally.

The Built Environment in Australia

The pressures from climate change, population growth and other social, health, well-being, liveability, usability and affordability factors on Australia’s built environment are significant and complex, as it is the case with many developed and developing countries around the world. Increasing evidence from around the world is demonstrating that improving the environmental sustainability of our built environment can help to address a number of these elements such as reducing environmental impacts, improving occupant health and reducing operating costs. This chapter outlines the state of play of energy performance of the built environment in Australia and places it within the global context. Despite many examples of improved buildings and outcomes for the environment, occupants and society, most new and existing buildings around the world fall significantly short of such low/zero carbon performance outcomes. This is a cause for concern as we transition towards a low-carbon future, with the globally scientific and political consensus that we must take urgent action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions if we are to mitigate significant climate change outcomes.

Thermal Environments in the Construction Industry: A Critical Review of Heat Stress Assessment and Control Strategies

In the light of climate change predictions, the increasing number of hot days will cause a significant impact on public health, mortality rates, energy demand and economy of Australia. Heat is also an occupation hazard, which is a growing concern in many industries. Heat stress hazards can be categorized as clinical, human performance diminishing and accident causing. The risk can be exaggerated in certain industries, including the construction industry, due to specific environmental conditions, work characteristics and occupational settings. This chapter discusses the main problems and risks associated with heat stress, with a particular emphasis on the construction industry. Various heat stress indices and advances in the assessment of heat stress in recent years are discussed. Finally, this chapter discusses the strategies and controls that can be implemented to mitigate the impact of heat stress in the construction industry. Various acclimatization protocols, hydration, self-pacing and exposure time limits or temperature risk control regimes are discussed by analysing standards, guidelines and policies and practices. This chapter contributes to resolving a timely and strategic occupational hazard through a holistic view of the thermal environment in construction industry settings.

Urban Climates in the Transformation of Australian Cities

Climate change is set to significantly impact cities and those who live and work within them. This chapter reviews the changing climate in Australia and its consequent role in the transformation of Australian cities with emphasis on the impact to the built environment. Following this, a discussion explores the application of strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on buildings and cities. While these strategies will be important for a transition to a low-carbon future, there is still a requirement for innovative research and developments that would pave clearer directions to achieve a lower carbon society.

Indoor Environmental Quality of Preparatory to Year 12 (P-12) Educational Facilities in Australia: Challenges and Prospects

Climate change is leading to increased frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves not only in Australia but globally. Children are among those who are most physically vulnerable to the changing climate. Schools buildings and facilities are critical infrastructure which are at risk of the adverse impacts of extreme weather conditions, particularly to the schools’ indoor environments. This chapter reviews the diverse policies on cooling and ventilation in educational facilities across Australia and brings together a multidisciplinary appraisal which can provide starting points for designers, building scientists and policy makers on: Impact of building energy efficiency measures on the thermal comfort, IAQ and ventilation of educational facilities. Health, educational outcomes and economic impacts of thermal comfort, IAQ and ventilation within educational facilities. Australian and best practice international policies, standards and practices applicable to the thermal environment, IAQ and ventilation within P-12 educational facilities.