New online course on sustainable construction and development launches

The Chartered Institute of Building Academy is launching a new massive open online course (MOOC) on sustainable development. This follows the first ever construction-focused MOOC which the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) ran last year, attracting more than 3000 construction professionals in over 100 countries.

The five-week interactive course, which opens next month, has been developed in partnership with London South Bank University, UK. The course is free and open to anyone working in the built environment sector globally. It has been designed specifically for those working in the industry, and anyone working in or studying construction and the wider built environment will find it useful as it focuses on what is arguably one of the most important issues facing construction today – sustainability within construction and development.

The course will cover:

• The complexities of sustainability in construction and development of built assets;
• The important roles of innovations, professionalism, ethics, culture and procurement practices and regulations;
• Environmental and economic sustainability and the roles of effective business cases, dynamics of networks and integrated delivery; and procurement practices;
• Social sustainability in construction and the roles of construction processes, outputs and outcomes on people and society;
• Lessons learned from good and best practices in sustainability, together with challenges and appropriate guidelines for implementation;
• Each week, leadership skills and critical thinking around sustainability issues will be developed as course participants reflect on interactive exercises and explore situations that are relatable to their everyday roles.

Professor Charles Egbu, Dean of School of the Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University and CIOB Senior Vice President, said, “Almost everything we do could be done more sustainably – it’s all about the way we work, the way we live our lives and what that means for society.

“It’s about responsibility for what we do for now and for the future. I very much encourage all construction professionals to be part and parcel of this course as you have the opportunity to learn much more about sustainability from both a theoretical and practical point of view. It’s about you and the society you are part of – and what you could be part of creating for the future.”

Adrian Montague, Head of CIOB Academy, added, “We hope this brings sustainability to the front of the minds of those involved with the construction or use of buildings.

“The CIOB Academy’s Sustainable Construction and Development MOOC is the second in our series and is freely open to professionals across the industry. I would welcome businesses and industry bodies sharing this course widely, helping to make a powerful, positive difference to the sustainability standards of constructors.”

By the end of the course, participants should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of sustainability from generic and project specific perspectives and the obligations of stakeholders. They should also be able to evaluate the economic and social considerations of sustainability and their implications on construction processes and practices.