ISEC 08


TOWARDS GREENING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TERTIARY EDUCATION

FIDELIS EMUZE, JOHN SMALLWOOD


Abstract

This study advocates the integration of sustainability into undergraduate construction management programs in South Africa. Sustainability with the color ‘Green’ is presently reshaping the built environment and construction professionals are challenged to implement ‘Green Building’, ‘Green Construction’, and ‘Green Infrastructure’ within the context of a ‘Green Economy’. Likewise, academia is faced with the expected challenge of adding these trends and topics to existing curricula so as to produce graduates that will address these trends. A review of existing construction management programs in South Africa shows a major gap that must be closed in order to evolve a standardized ‘Green’ curriculum that will enable students to integrate knowledge gained into future jobs. To close the gaps, the current trend among schools affiliated with the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) has been used to recommend curriculum renewal that would provide the industry with benefits of sustainability in the built environment.

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