AG2806 Environmental Aspects of the Built Environment 7.5 credits
Buildings and the built environment is responsible for a significant part of the societal environmental impacts. At the same time, they are essential for human activities and well-being. In this course, you will develop your understanding about the interplay between humans, buildings and the surrounding environment as well as strategies for reducing environmental impacts from buildings. The course is designed to give you a profound understanding about the environmental impacts of the built environment in relation to specific settings and contexts and the ability to suggest and argue for relevant approaches for assessing and adressing the environmental impact in planning situations that you might encounter in your future profession.
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Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course includes lectures, labs and project assignments followed up by seminars.
Lectures cover:
- the impact of buildings on human health, environment and natural resources
- environmental management strategies in the building and property sector and their relation to city planning
- tools/methods for evaluating and assessing the environmental impact of buildings
- examples of "green building"
Labs and project assignments include using a tool for environmental building assessment as well as analysing strategies for environmental impact reduction in practical cases.
Intended learning outcomes
The overall aim of the course is to give students understanding about the interplay between humans, buildings and the surrounding environment as well as strategies for reducing the environmental impacts from buildings.
After completing the course, you should be able to:
- Describe the potential environmental and health impacts caused by different stages in a building’s life span.
- Be able to analytically discuss environmental hotspots regarding the built environment depending on local contexts and building types.
- Suggest relevant planning strategies to reduce the environmental impact both from new building developments and improvements of the existing building stock.
- Suggest relevant types of evaluation and assessment tools for decision contexts related to planning and management of buildings.
- Account for current national strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.
Course disposition
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
In total 7,5 ECTS-credits within the subject environment and sustainable development, e.g. AL1301 Natural Resources Theory or AE1502 Environmental Systems Analysis for Energy and Environment, or AG2150 Sustainable Planning and Design
English 6
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
- PRO1 - Project Assignment, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- TEN1 - Examination, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Other requirements for final grade
Written exam (TEN1; 2,5 cr),
Project assignment (PRO1; 4.0 cr),
Computer lab (LAB1; 1,0 cr).
Final grade is a weighted average of the written exam and the project. "Pass" grade on the lab is required to receive a final grade.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course web
Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.
Course web AG2806