We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Managing Building Adaptation

A Sustainable Approach

Erwin Heurkens, Martijn Vos, Hilde Remøy, Gerard van Bortel, and Jelle Koolwijk

Do you have a passion for buildings and want to contribute to a sustainable environment? Then this is your chance to make a difference! The biggest sustainability challenge for cities worldwide is adapting existing obsolescent buildings and making them future-proof. In this course, you will learn about adapting buildings for sustainability.

This course first introduces you to the challenging management task of redeveloping buildings for future use. Then you will learn how different management tools can be used to convert old buildings for sustainable reuse.

Prior experience with studies or jobs related to the built environment is not essential for this course, but will be a great advantage.

This MOOC is especially relevant for students who are interested in Real Estate, Project Management, Urban Planning, Architecture, Construction, Engineering, and Sustainability.

The course is taught by a multi-disciplinary team of instructors and professors with relevant practical and theoretical experience. You can use the practical knowledge you obtain during this course to tackle many challenges related to the built environment.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand building adaptation management as a cyclical process;
Identify various sustainability challenges that occur in building adaptations;
Distinguish between multiple actor perspectives and interests related to building adaptation;

Apply project management tools that assist in making decisions about building adaptation;
Translate design concepts into practical solutions for sustainable building adaptation.

Understand building adaptation management as a cyclical process;
Identify various sustainability challenges that occur in building adaptations;
Distinguish between multiple actor perspectives and interests related to building adaptation;
Apply project management tools that assist in making decisions about building adaptation;
Translate design concepts into practical solutions for sustainable building adaptation.

Syllabus

Week 1: Managing building adaptation processesIntroduction to building adaptation, the sustainability and managerial challenges involved, the cyclical development process of real estate, and need for management tools.

Week 2: Urban development managementIntroduction to urban development management, dealing with contextual issues for building adaptation, such as sustainability policies, real estate markets and location opportunities.

Week 3: Adaptive reuse managementIntroduction to the phenomenon of adaptive reuse, focusing on re-design concepts, highest-and-best-use proposals, and financial viability of transformation.

Week 4 Construction and project managementIntroduction to construction and project management, dealing with realising adaption plans, making use of organisational structures and smart planning methods.

Week 5: Housing transformation managementIntroduction to housing transformation management, including asset management, maintenance and operations, user preferences, and energy efficiency measures.

Week 6: Recap of managing building adaptationConclusion and reflection on lessons learned about managing building adaptation, and the applicability and transferability of results to other institutional contexts.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appeals to learners interested in broadening their set of professional skills

Taught by instructors with significant experience managing building adaptations and practical theoretical experience in sustainability

Covers construction and project management theory, housing transformation management, urban development management, adaptive reuse management, and managing building adaptation processes

Knowledge and skills from this course prepare learners to meet sustainability challenges

Offers a cyclical process understanding of building adaptation management

Provides a foundation of various actor perspectives and interests concerning building adaptations

Save this course

Save Managing Building Adaptation: A Sustainable Approach to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Managing Building Adaptation: A Sustainable Approach. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Building Adaptation: A Sustainable Approach will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop project plans, and manage project risks. This course would be very helpful for Project Managers as it provides a comprehensive overview of project management. They can learn how to apply project management tools to assist in making decisions about building adaptation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations reduce their environmental impact and promote social responsibility. They develop and implement sustainability strategies and provide advice on sustainable practices. This course would be very helpful for Sustainability Consultants as it provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable building practices. They can learn how to identify sustainability challenges and translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Real Estate Developer

Real Estate Developers acquire, develop, and manage real estate properties. They work with architects, engineers, and contractors to design and build new buildings or redevelop existing ones. This course would be very helpful for Real Estate Developers as it provides a comprehensive overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to make decisions about building adaptation and how to translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer

Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and make recommendations for improvements. They work with building owners and managers to develop and implement energy conservation measures. This course would be helpful for Energy Auditors as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to identify sustainability challenges and translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor

Architect

Architects design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. They work with clients to develop design concepts and then create detailed plans and specifications. This course would be helpful for Architects as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to identify sustainability challenges and translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers help companies understand and implement sustainability practices. They develop and execute plans to reduce environmental impact and promote social responsibility. This course would be helpful for Sustainability Managers, as it provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable building practices. They can learn how to identify sustainability challenges and translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Facility Manager

Facility Managers oversee the operation and maintenance of buildings and other facilities. They work with building owners and managers to develop and implement maintenance plans and ensure that buildings are safe and efficient. This course would be helpful for Facility Managers as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Facility Manager

Construction Manager

Construction Managers oversee the construction of buildings and infrastructure projects. They work with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course would be helpful for Construction Managers as it provides an overview of construction and project management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Property Manager

Property Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of residential and commercial properties. They work with tenants to collect rent, maintain the property, and enforce lease agreements. This course would be helpful for Property Managers as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Property Manager

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and oversee the construction of environmental systems, such as water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and air pollution control systems. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure that projects are completed safely and efficiently. This course would be helpful for Environmental Engineers as it provides an overview of construction and project management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design and oversee the construction of electrical systems, such as lighting, power distribution, and communication systems. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure that projects are completed safely and efficiently. This course would be helpful for Electrical Engineers as it provides an overview of construction and project management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Building Inspector

Building Inspectors ensure that buildings comply with building codes and safety regulations. They inspect buildings during construction and after completion to identify any potential hazards. This course would be helpful for Building Inspectors as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to identify sustainability challenges and translate design concepts into practical solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Building Inspector

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and supervise the construction of infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure that projects are completed safely and efficiently. This course would be helpful for Civil Engineers as it provides an overview of construction and project management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and oversee the construction of mechanical systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They work with architects, contractors, and other engineers to ensure that projects are completed safely and efficiently. This course would be helpful for Mechanical Engineers as it provides an overview of construction and project management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the use of land and buildings in cities and towns. They consider factors such as population growth, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This course would be may be useful for Urban Planners as it provides an overview of building adaptation management. They can learn how to manage the challenges of adapting buildings for future use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Managing Building Adaptation: A Sustainable Approach.

Fundamentals of Residential Construction