Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy from Coursera

This course takes a wide-lens view of the role of materials decisions in circular design and the promotion of a healthier world. You find out how to execute a healthier project. You learn why healthier materials matter to the entire project team and the importance of communication between teams. You look at circularity, embodied carbon reduction, and the evolution of the built environment. You examine the role designers play in executing a healthier project, from construction to installation to use, and its significance in the context of cities. Participants in the course should have leadership-level career experience in design, architecture, contracting, or a similar field.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

• Analyze the role of contractors, subcontractors, and material procurement in the execution of a healthier project

• Discuss the relationship between circular design and design innovation

• Examine the capacity of material systems to contribute to a circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world

What's inside

Syllabus

From Blueprint to Building

Welcome to From Blueprint to Building. This week, we'll examine how to take a project from the blueprint (or design plan, often refered to as a 'construction document' in this course) to the completed project. We'll learn how specific materials impact the overall health of the project and what that means for the construction team. We will explore the material specification, procurement, and handling processes. By the end of this week, you will know how to implement protective measures throughout the lifecycle of a project. Let's get started!

Disrupting the Status Quo: Design through the Lens of Circularity

Welcome to Disrupting the Status Quo: Design through the Lens of Circularity. This week, we'll learn how linear economic models have given need for a more circular approach in the future. We will explore how the reuse of materials creates economic opportunities and change in the marketplace. By the end of this week, you will understand how collaboration, trust, and knowledge sharing are essential for generating client buy-in to a healthier materials approach. Let's get started!

Professional Practice in an Evolving World

Welcome to Professional Practices in an Evolving World. This week, we'll learn about the movement toward circular and regenerative cities and see some examples of how cities around the world are implementing circularity. We will explore the capacity of material systems to contribute to a more circular, low-carbon, regenerative, and equitable world. By the end of this week, you will have discovered some strategies that you can take forward to build a healthier, thriving future. Let's get started!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Targeted for industry specialists and professionals in design, architecture, contracting, and related fields seeking to enhance their understanding of healthier project execution

Instructed by Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP, and Catherine Murphy, recognized building design specialists and educators

Provides a comprehensive examination of the role of material decisions in circular design

Places an emphasis on the importance of communication and collaboration between project stakeholders

Emphasizes the importance of minimizing embodied carbon footprint during project execution

Course may require industry-specific background knowledge for optimal comprehension

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers oversee the social and environmental performance of businesses and organizations. This course may be useful for Corporate Social Responsibility Managers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Corporate Social Responsibility Managers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants advise businesses and organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable. This course may be useful for Sustainability Consultants who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Sustainability Consultants understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to advise their clients on these principles.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and develop new materials and technologies. This course may be useful for Materials Scientists who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Materials Scientists understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to develop new materials that are more sustainable.

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Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts analyze the environmental and social performance of organizations and businesses. This course may be useful for Sustainability Analysts who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Sustainability Analysts understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their work.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course may be useful for Environmental Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Environmental Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with human activity. This course may be useful for Environmental Scientists who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Environmental Scientists understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to apply these principles to their work.

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Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of construction projects. This course may be useful for Construction Managers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Construction Managers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their projects.

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Urban Planner

Urban Planners plan and design cities and other urban areas. This course may be useful for Urban Planners who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Urban Planners understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their plans.

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Architect

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for Architects who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Architects understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Civil Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Product Designer

Product Designers design and develop products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This course may be useful for Product Designers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Product Designers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design and improve industrial processes. This course may be useful for Industrial Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Industrial Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and build chemical plants and other chemical processing facilities. This course may be useful for Chemical Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Chemical Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and build electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Electrical Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and other mechanical devices. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers who want to learn more about sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The course will help Mechanical Engineers understand the environmental and economic benefits of using sustainable materials and practices, and how to incorporate these principles into their designs.

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Sustainable Construction in a Circular Economy

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