Sustainable Construction Management from edX

Can building structures be sustainable?

This course aims to answer that question. It covers sustainable construction management project elements from conception to completion. We discuss the important contributions facility managers and property managers make to sustainable construction projects by acting as the owner’s representatives. And we show how the construction contract and project delivery method greatly influences how the project will be performed sustainably.

Sustainable construction methods and processes are highlighted, along with newer construction document production systems such as building information modeling (BIM), laser scanning, and drones. This course also gives an example of a scheduling method known as the critical path method (CPM).

We discuss methods, materials, and the equipment used to mitigate damage to buildings due to environmental conditions, and the different types of building systems. Current technologies and green innovations also reviewed include exterior wall systems, green roofs, elevators, HVAC systems, and new methods of sustainable building choices for green construction best practices.

Other topics include sustainable maintenance operations, energy management, green building certifications, renewable energy, sustainability construction trends and the use of best practices in sustainable planning, design, and construction, including the steps needed to develop a high-performance project.

Core concepts include:

Frameworks for implementing a sustainable green project or a high-performance project.
Role of the facility manager.
Sustainable building design, construction, remodeling, and building improvements.
Disaster management procedures.
Sustainable Infrastructure.
Decision making techniques in sustainable project development
How to reduce emissions during construction
How to control energy consumption and maximize sustainable efficiency
Climate control.
Greenhouse gas emissions.
Stormwater management controls.
Sediment and erosion controls.
Renewable energy use
Involvement of stakeholders in the planning, design, and construction process.
Green building certifications, such as LEED and Green Globes.
Latest trends and future in sustainable construction management.
The best sustainable practices in design and construction.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How the construction industry is adapting to sustainability
Industry leaders in sustainability
Life cycle cost analysis of sustainable projects
How the latest construction process can be sustainable
How to manage the environmental impact of a project

Sustainable facility management
Is sustainable development cost effective?
Understanding natural resources in sustainable development projects
Project management controls in sustainable construction management projects
How to minimize construction waste

How the construction industry is adapting to sustainability
Industry leaders in sustainability
Life cycle cost analysis of sustainable projects
How the latest construction process can be sustainable
How to manage the environmental impact of a project
Sustainable facility management
Is sustainable development cost effective?
Understanding natural resources in sustainable development projects
Project management controls in sustainable construction management projects
How to minimize construction waste

Syllabus

● Week 1: Sustainable design management.

● Week 2: Sustainable construction management.

● Week 3: Sustainable maintenance operations, security systems, environmental management, and building systems.

● Week 4: Energy management and renewable energy, green building construction, and strategic sustainable planning.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Addresses industry changes towards sustainability which is important for prospective industry professionals

Gives methods, materials, and equipment against building damages by environmental conditions for professionals managing facilities

Teaches sustainable maintenance operations essential in present times

Discusses use cases of different building systems relevant to the industry

Discusses sustainable planning, design, and construction best practices

Reviews summary

Sustainable construction fundamentals

Learners say this well-designed course in sustainable construction management delivers engaging assignments and interesting case studies that are easy to understand. They especially appreciate the practical examples and real-world stories that help them connect to the subject matter. Feedback encourages instructors to provide more guided discussions and timely feedback to foster community and reinforce learning.

This course provides a solid foundation in the basics of construction management.

"A well designed course giving the basics of construction management."

"Good for the basics of Sustainable Construction management, the course covers the major challenges in sustainable construction and throws some light on how to handle it. Given the duration of the course, it succeeds in imparting the foundations of Sustainability"

The materials are presented clearly and the concepts are easy to understand.

"it is a good course. The teacher has experience about the subject. The vocabulary used in this course is easy to understand."

"The course is easy to follow and worthy of your time ."

Interesting and informative materials include 'real world stories' and case studies.

"Interesting case studies with the 'real world story'. It helped me to memorized a lot more concepts that was taught ."

"I learned some thing new about sustainability and how to manage the schedule and transportation of materials"

"Very useful course with east understanding of the topics and real stories by Mr Neil. Quiz after each session is helping to verify what did you learn during lessons."

Instructors should provide more timely feedback and guided discussions to improve the learning experience.

"timely feedback on assignments and quizzes is crucial for students to gauge their progress effectively."

"encouraging more active participation and guided discussions in the course forums could foster a stronger sense of community among learners."

"First, encouraging more active participation and guided discussions in the course forums could foster a stronger sense of community among learners. Additionally, timely feedback on assignments and quizzes is crucial for students to gauge their progress effectively."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Construction Management with these activities:

Review best practices in sustainable construction management

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Refreshes knowledge on sustainable construction management principles and best practices, providing a solid foundation for the course.

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Reread or review notes and readings on sustainability in construction management
Identify key concepts and principles related to sustainable construction management
Summarize the key takeaways and concepts in your own words

Read 'Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery' by Charles Kibert

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Provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable construction principles and practices, enhancing understanding of the course concepts.

View Sustainable Construction on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5, focusing on the importance and benefits of sustainable construction
Read chapters 6-10, focusing on sustainable design strategies and building materials
Read chapters 11-15, focusing on sustainable construction methods and technologies

Organize and summarize course materials

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Improves knowledge retention and understanding by organizing and reviewing course materials.

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Gather all course notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Review and summarize key concepts and ideas from each material
Organize the summaries into a cohesive document or digital notebook

Seven other activities

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Develop a presentation on a sustainable construction project

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Enhances understanding of sustainable construction practices by researching and analyzing real-world projects.

Browse courses on Sustainability in Construction

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Research and select a sustainable construction project to focus on
Analyze the project's sustainability features, design strategies, and building materials
Create a presentation that showcases the project's sustainable elements and benefits

Develop a Sustainability Plan

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Creating a Sustainability Plan will allow you to apply the concepts of sustainable construction by creating a specific plan tailored to a potential or ongoing project.

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Identify the scope and goals of your project.
Research and identify relevant sustainability strategies and best practices.
Develop specific sustainability objectives and targets.
Outline the actions and measures that will be taken to achieve the objectives.
Establish a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Solve case studies on sustainable construction management

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Develops problem-solving skills and reinforces knowledge of sustainable construction management principles.

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Review provided case studies or find relevant ones online
Analyze the case studies, identifying the key sustainability challenges and opportunities
Develop and present solutions to the challenges, considering sustainable design strategies and building materials

Explore online resources and tutorials on sustainable construction management

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Expands knowledge and understanding of sustainable construction management by accessing additional resources.

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Search for online tutorials, webinars, or articles on sustainable construction management
Review the resources, focusing on topics that complement the course content
Take notes or summarize the key takeaways from the resources

Case Study Analysis with Peers

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Engaging in case study analysis with peers will provide you with the chance to apply your understanding to specific examples and it can provide different perspectives.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Select a case study relevant to sustainable construction management.
Gather a group of peers to form a study group.
Analyze the case study together, identifying the key sustainability challenges and solutions implemented.
Discuss and share different perspectives on the case study.
Summarize the key learnings and insights gained from the analysis.

Design a sustainable building project

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Applies knowledge and skills learned in the course to a practical project, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

Browse courses on Sustainable Building Design

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Define the project scope and goals, considering sustainability criteria
Research and select sustainable design strategies and building materials
Develop a building design that incorporates the sustainable elements
Create a presentation or report that outlines the project design and its sustainability features

Gather and analyze resources on sustainable construction trends

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Enhances awareness of emerging trends and innovations in sustainable construction management.

Browse courses on Sustainability in Construction

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Search for articles, reports, or white papers on sustainable construction trends
Review and analyze the resources, identifying key trends and their potential impact
Compile the resources into a presentation or report that summarizes the findings

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Construction Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its relationship to human activity. This course may be useful for Environmental Scientists as it covers sustainable construction management, including how to manage the environmental impact of a project.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Renewable Energy Project Developer

A Renewable Energy Project Developer identifies, develops, and manages renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms. This course may be useful for Renewable Energy Project Developers as it covers sustainable construction management, including renewable energy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Project Developer

Sustainability Consultant

A Sustainability Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to improve their sustainability performance. This course may be useful for Sustainability Consultants as it covers sustainable construction management, including sustainable design, construction, and maintenance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

LEED Green Associate

A LEED Green Associate is a professional who has demonstrated knowledge of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. This course may be useful for LEED Green Associates as it covers sustainable construction management, including green building certifications and LEED.

See salaries and explore the career path for LEED Green Associate

Energy Auditor

An Energy Auditor assesses the energy efficiency of buildings and makes recommendations for improvements. This course may be useful for Energy Auditors as it covers sustainable construction management, including energy management and renewable energy.

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Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer designs, builds, and maintains electrical systems, such as power distribution systems and lighting systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers as it covers sustainable construction management, including energy management and renewable energy.

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Mechanical Engineer

A Mechanical Engineer designs, builds, and maintains mechanical systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This course may be useful for Mechanical Engineers as it covers sustainable construction management, including energy management and renewable energy.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, organizes, and executes projects, from inception to completion. This course may be useful for Project Managers as it covers sustainable construction management project elements from conception to completion, including sustainable construction methods and processes, and green building certifications.

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Facility Manager

A Facility Manager oversees the operation and maintenance of buildings and other facilities, ensuring that they are safe, efficient, and sustainable. This course may be useful for Facility Managers as it covers sustainable construction management, including sustainable maintenance operations, energy management, and renewable energy.

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Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer designs and manages the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be useful for Civil Engineers as it covers sustainable construction management, including sustainable infrastructure, stormwater management controls, and sediment and erosion controls.

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Architect

An Architect designs and creates buildings and other structures, taking into account factors such as aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. This course may be useful for Architects as it covers sustainable building design and green construction best practices.

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Construction Manager

A Construction Manager plans, organizes, and oversees construction projects, from inception to completion. This course may be useful for Construction Managers as it covers sustainable construction management project elements from conception to completion, including sustainable construction methods and processes, and green building certifications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager develops and implements strategies to reduce an organization's environmental impact and promote sustainability. This course may be useful for Sustainability Managers as it covers sustainable construction management, including sustainable maintenance operations, energy management, and renewable energy.

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Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer applies scientific and engineering principles to improve the environment, protect human health, and promote sustainability. This course may be useful for Environmental Engineers as it covers sustainable construction management, including how to manage the environmental impact of a project, stormwater management controls, and sediment and erosion controls.

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Building Contractor

A Building Contractor supervises and coordinates the construction, renovation, and repair of buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for Building Contractors as it covers sustainable construction management project elements from conception to completion, including sustainable construction methods and processes, green building certifications, and renewable energy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Building Contractor