This unit is an introduction to the impacts of the building design and construction sectors on the environment viz: Natural ecosystems including climate, hydrological cycle, basic thermodynamics, consequences of modification; ecosystem interdependency, capacity of the environment to assimilate changes; background to greenhouse concerns from the Rio Summit through to current global negotiations: social, legislative and political issues associated with modification of the natural and developed environments including environmental impact assessments; and environmental impact of development-mining and mineral processing, materials and manufacturing industries as related to the building and construction sector. This unit then provides an introduction to current activity to minimise impacts through shift to service rather than consumption based economy in the building and construction sector. This unit also requires the student to develop an understanding of requirements for regional and urban development including the legislative framework for planning control, feasibility studies, consultation and communication processes.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback

Lectures need updating and to be aligned with the study guide

New lectures are being written and aligned with the refreshed student guide.

Feedback from Student feedback

Assessment questions are not fully covered in the lectures.

Personal self-directed study and research are requirements of a course. The tutorials are used to answer questions and direct students to sources of information that are additional to the study guide to provide depth and a deeper understanding of the subjects.

Feedback from Studnet feedback

Assignment three required drawing skills that were not taught in the unit.

The assignment is not a drawing task, and sketches were acceptable as made clear during the recorded tutorials. Tutorial sessions will continue to support students who request guidance in this area.

Feedback from Studnet feedback

The unit lecturer was friendly and helpful, I learned a lot.

Continue lecturing and supporting students through the recorded tutorials and MS Teams.

Feedback from Lecturer

Student engagement remains low for tutorials and the active use of the MS Team. This appears to be the younger students.

The lecturer will incorporate essential information and resources in the tutorials to require attendance. This will be clearly communicated in Moodle by email to each student in week 1.