CE4922 Sustainable Development

in Civil Engineering

I NTRODUCTION TO
S USTAINABILITY
 A BOUT THE DELIVERY

Lectures- 2hrs /week

Tutorial 1 hr
Mini Project group of 5 people
Parallel documents-
Module guide
PD1 for assessment brief and
details.
 L EARNING O UTCOMES
Learning Outcomes Level of
POs Thinking
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Comprehension
Compare the basic social,
cultural, environmental, and
LO1 global considerations required for H L H M M H M H H
sustainable development in civil
engineering practices

Application
Select and apply the tools
available for achieving sustainable
LO2 H L H M M H H H H
development in civil engineering
practices

Application,
Design and formulate civil Synthesis
engineering projects by applying
LO3 H M H M M H H H H
the principles of sustainable
development

Average H M H M M H H H H
 ATTRIBUTES OF AN ENGINEERING GRADUATE
PO1: Demonstrate broad knowledge of engagement with the fundamental practices and
principles that underpin Civil Engineering

PO2: Think creatively and analytically to respond to emerging professional and entrepreneurial
opportunities in Civil Engineering

PO3: Apply research skills and related information to investigate, solve and design complex
problems in civil Engineering

PO4: Design, Select and Apply, technological knowledge, skills and modern tools for sustainable
civil Engineering Practice

PO5: Demonstrate broad knowledge of financial management, risk assessment and business
practices

PO6: Engage in continuous self-motivated learning and development of knowledge and skills as a
professional engineer, contributing to the profession and beyond

PO7: Communicate effectively with both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders

PO8: Function effectively within a typical multidisciplinary and multi-cultural engineering design
team as a team member, manager or team leader, recognizing health, safety and environmental
issues

PO9: Displaying of professional behaviour and ethical practice in the context of engineering
projects and community engagement

 M ODULE CONTENT

1. Introduction to sustainable development

Introduction to medium related environmental problems.
Material and energy flow in the environment and processes.
Ecosystems, ecology and environmental impact assessment.
Social aspects of environment and environmental ethics.
Past policies and consequences on technological innovations and
challenges they posed, and concept of sustainability.
2. Tools applied in achieving sustainability and case studies in civil
engineering.
Industrial ecology.
Social impact assessment.
Cumulative impact assessment.
 C ONTI

3. Non-technical tools:

Regulatory, economic, and policy tools.

3. Case studies in Civil Engineering:

City planning

Water planning

Concept of sustainable building

 graduate 2Levelof
attributes to Thinking
SUBMISSIO

WEIGHTING
DESCRI ASSESSMENT be covered
LO1 LO2 LO3 N
PTION DESCRIPTION
WEEK

An open book PO1-9 Comprehe

examination nsion and
paper for a Applicatio
Mid 30% Week 7
CA term duration of n
(55%)
one hour

A report and a PO1-9 Comprehe

presentation nsion,
upon the Applicatio
Assign completion of n,
ment As per the a group synthesis
(term 25% unit study project. and
project) calendar reference PD1 evaluation

End An open book PO1-9 Comprehe

Semest examination nsion,
er paper for a Applicatio
(45%) End duration of n and
term two hours synthesis
examin 45% Week 16
ation
 L EVELS OF THINKING ACCORDING TO B LOOMS
TAXONOMY
Knowledge-Recall of something encountered before but without
having to change it, use it or understand it; facts.
Comprehension-Understanding the knowledge that has been
acquired without needing to relate it to other information.
Application-Use of a learned concept to resolve some situation or
solve a new problem in an appropriate way.
Analysis-Taking something learned apart into separate
components for purposes of thinking about the parts and how
they fit together.
Synthesis-Generating or creating something different by
assembling or connecting ideas in a way that makes a whole.
Evaluation-Looking at the particular value of materials,
information or methods in characterizing the whole.
 A SSESSMENT

Mid Term (30%):

Held in Week 6 on material from weeks 1-5

Portfolio (25%):
Design Report + a presentation- individual/groups
assessment
Reflections

Final Exam (45%):

on material from (weeks 7-12)
Description Hours
Attendance
13 weeks x 3 hours/week lecture time 39
-- weeks x 2 hour/week tutorial/workshop time -
--weeks x 2 hours/week laboratory time -
Independent work
Preparatory work eg. Checking courseweb, revising class work, 30
working out tutorials and reading text books etc.
15 weeks x 2 hours/week
Total hours for in class engagement and supplementary study hours 69
Assessments
Preparation of laboratory report/project reports 75
15 weeks x 5 hours/week
Mid semester examination 1 hour in class examination 01
End semester examination 02 hours in class examination 02
Other work
Any remaining time would be used for preparation activities 03
Total number of hours for the module 150
U SEFUL T EXTS
 A BOUT THE COURSE

Sustainable developments in civil

engineering introduces the concepts of
sustainability within civil engineering
context, technical tools and case studies
available to implement sustainable
development practices. The knowledge
gained in this module will be useful for
civil engineers to design and build civil
engineering systems in a sustainable
manner.
 C ONTENT: T HIS S ESSION

Introduction to the Sustainability Debate

Demand, Growth & Analysis
Trends and Barriers
Key Terms & Definitions

Constraints & Important Metrics

 S USTAINABILITY, DO WE HAVE IT
OR NOT ?

Sustainability as a concept

Understanding the metrics & ideas

Application to typical Civil Engineering roles

S USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

development that meets the

needs of the present without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their
own needs

United Nations World Commission on Environment and

Development, Brundtland report 1987, p43)
 W HO IS A CIVIL ENGINEER

Civil engineering is a professional

engineering discipline that deals with the design,
construction, and maintenance of the physical
and naturally built environment, including works
like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and
buildings.[1][2][3] Civil engineering is the second-
oldest engineering discipline after military
engineering,[4] and it is defined to distinguish
non-military engineering from military
engineering.
Wikipedia
C IVIL E NGINEERING
Sustainable construction:
principles of sustainable development applied to full
construction cycle: from extraction, processing of
raw materials, through planning, design,
construction of buildings and infrastructure, until
their final deconstruction and management of
resultant waste
a holistic process aiming to restore, maintain
harmony between the natural & built environments
while creating settlements that affirm human dignity
and encourage economic equity
Du Plessis
 W HAT DO WE NEED TO SUPPORT
S USTAINABLE C ONSTRUCTION ?

Sustainable Construction

Institutional

Environmental
Technical

Economic

Social
 TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental considerations are

incorporated into all aspects of construction.
Construction decision-making process
supports actions to minimize environmental
impact, resource extraction, use of energy,
water, materials, & land, prefers renewable
resources over non-renewables.
Construction process seeks to maintain and
restore ecological diversity.
 W HY S USTAINABLE
C ONSTRUCTION ?

Social progress, which recognises the needs

of everyone

Effective protection of the environment

Prudent use of natural resources
Maintenance of high and stable levels of
economic growth and employment
 K EY C HALLENGES

Lack of understanding of ecological impact of

construction activities
Lack of early rapid environmental assessment
Use of hazardous materials
Special interests - not prioritizing sustainable
construction
Disregard for the local population
Poor planning by project managers
Others?
 B ROAD A REAS OF
A PPLICATION
Sustainable Sites

Energy and Atmosphere

Indoor Environmental Quality

Water Efficiency

Materials and Resources

 P OPULATION

Will Earths capacity be exceeded?

L IMITS TO GROWTH 1972

Will the future generations have enough?

ATMOSPHERIC CO 2
S USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

development that meets the

needs of the present without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their
own needs

United Nations World Commission on Environment and

Development, Brundtland report 1987, p43)
 S USTAINABILITY AND CIVIL
ENGINEERING

Make a list of your own civil engineering concerns

S USTAINABILITY T HEMES
 S USTAINABILITY AND M RS
B RUNDTLAND
Formally known as the World Commission on Environment and
Development (WCED), the mission of Brundtland Commission is to unite countries
to pursue sustainable development together. The Chairman of the
Commission, Gro Harlem Brundtland, was appointed by Javier Prez de Cullar,
former Secretary General of the United Nations, in December 1983. At the time,
the UN General Assembly realized that there was a heavy deterioration of the
human environment and natural resources. To rally countries to work and pursue
sustainable development together, the UN decided to establish the Brundtland
Commission. Gro Harlem Brundtland was the former Prime Minister of
Norway and was chosen due to her strong background in the sciences and public
health. The Brundtland Commission officially dissolved in December 1987 after
releasing Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report, in October
1987, a document which coined, and defined the meaning of the term
"Sustainable Development". Our Common Futurewon the University of
Louisville Grawemeyer Award in 1991.[1] The organization Center for Our
Common Future was started in April 1988 to take the place of the Commission.
R EINDEERS IN S T M ATHEWS
I SLAND
Capacity
P OPULATION
P OPULATION IN J APAN
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/sri-lanka-population-pyramid
W ORLD P OPULATION
 P OPULATION

What kind of a population would it follow?

Discuss

Your concerns as civil engineers for the next 30

years?

Population-how it is changing
 S USTAINABILITY I MPACT

I=P x A x T
Population (P),
Affluence (A)
Technology (T)
 E NVIRONMENTAL I MPACT OF
B UILDINGS ( W H Y D O E S I T M AT T E R ? )
US C OMMERCIAL B UILDINGS FACTS :

65.2% total US electricity consumption

> 36% total US primary energy use
30% total US greenhouse gas emissions
136 million tons of US
construction/demolition waste (about
2.8 lbs/person/day)
12% of potable water in the US
40% (3 billion tons annually) of raw
materials used globally
 W EEKLY EXPENSE

You do not own a car

You need to live close to uni (Rs 3000)
Buy groceries in small quantities (1500)
Go by cab, once a week (1000)

Your friend owns a car

Lives away from uni (Rs 2000)
Buys in bulk (800)
Has transport costs (2000)
You take rides some time to visit friends

Are you going to buy a car?

 W HAT ARE COMMONS

Its something shared and open to all

Air

Atmosphere

Ocean and rives

C OMMONS S TORY
T RAGEDY OF THE COMMONS
H OW TO AVOID TO C
 S USTAINABILITY AND
S USTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
S USTAINABILITY
 T UTORIAL :

Read Malthus redux

In small groups (3-5) discuss:
Are there any key issues preventing global
sustainability? If so, what are the most
significant?
How will your expected career(s) offer you a
chance to engage in the sustainability
debate?
What do you need to know in order to use
the sustainability issue to your competitive
advantage?

Be prepared to present your arguments!