It is now accepted that climate change is occurring and that many of the resources upon which we rely for our everyday needs are finite. Industrialisation and the prosperity that this has brought the planet has also meant increasing volumes of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide which if continue to produce at its current levels the planet will face increasingly severe fluctuations in weather systems, water and food poverty alongside the extinction of many species of plants and animals. The aim of this module is to give an overview of the impact of climate change and diminishing resources on the way that the construction industry currently operates and will operate in the future. We consider how we can reduce the negative impacts of the industry, mitigate against future climate impacts and consider adaptation accepting that whatever positive impacts we are now able to make change in weather systems is inevitable. The construction sector is in a position where it can make a positive contribution through for example careful resource use, including greater use of off-site fabrication and supply chain partnering. We will also consider how the inclusion of green and blue space particularly in cities can help in reducing the impact of flooding, minimise the urban heat island effect, reduce pollution, help in habitat creation as well as providing residents a with a space for exercise that positively contributes to physical and mental health. Underpinning a more sustainable approach to construction is a number of international protocols, European and domestic legislation and government initiatives and these will be considered in the context of each of the areas studied.

Providing a brief introduction to climate change and its environmental, social and economic impacts on the built environment. The module will look at a number of construction specific topics: 

Topic areas may include: 


	Climate change, resource depletion, habitat destruction and the impact of construction
	
	
	New and existing building stock, urbanisation, the urban heat island effect and transport infrastructure
	
	
	Development of brownfield sites and the opportunities regeneration offers
	
	
	Environmental impact assessments, ecology, habitat creation and the benefits of blue and green infrastructure
	

	Extreme weather events and the opportunities for mitigation and adaptation
	
Essential Reading: 

Chakrabarti, V. (2013) A Country of Cities: A Manifesto for an Urban America, New York: Distributed Art Publishers

Desai, P. (2009) One Planet Communities: A Real-Life Guide to Sustainable Living, Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Edwards, B. (2013) Rough guide to sustainability: A design primer, 4th Ed. London: RIBA Enterprises

Mutter (2020) Climate Change Science: A Primer for Sustainable Development, New York: Columbia University Press

Neufeldt, H. & Hulme, M. (2009) Making Climate Change Work for Us: European Perspectives on Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Usher, Brian (2019) Renewable energy: a primer for the twenty-first century, New York: Columbia University Press