CE3GCO: Green Innovation in Construction

Module code: CE3GCO

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Shu-Ling Lu, email: s.lu@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The built environment is responsible for approximately 25% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. The UK has a legally binding target to reach net zero by 2050. In response, there is a growing raft of legislation, regulation and user demand requiring that buildings and settlements become far more environmentally sustainable. Construction and property companies and global supply chains are developing new, digitally-enabled service delivery capabilities to deliver sustainable buildings, as well as embedding sustainability in their own businesses through corporate social responsibility. Users are being asked to play a part in adopting technologies and practices which reduce their environmental impact. 

This aim of this module is to equip students with leading-edge knowledge and practice on the innovation strategies being deployed by construction companies to respond to the net zero by 2050 target. The module demonstrates how environmental policies, company strategies and new sustainable technologies are all closely interconnected and how construction companies are managing the innovation challenges these complex interactions create. Throughout the module detailed cases studies are used to bring to life key issues. The cases are drawn from research projects being undertaken by members of the module delivery team in the low and zero carbon area in collaboration with leading construction companies. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the principal sources of environmental impact from construction activity and the built environment;
2. Critically evaluate the key environmental regulations and policies affecting construction companies;
3. Critically evaluate the role of green innovation for construction companies to effectively respond to environmental regulations and policies and, in so doing, minimise environmental impacts; and,
4. Understand the successful delivery of green innovation as a multi-level, socio-technical phenomenon.

Module content

The module is designed to develop understanding and knowledge through a structured series of topics. 

• Introduction and module overview 
• Environment impact of construction 
• Green innovation 
• Environmental regulation 
• Construction firm level: corporate environmental innovation strategies and practices 
• Uptake and diffusion of environmental technologies across the construction sector 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, seminars and self-directed learning. 

Study hours

At least 16 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

A formative feedback component is embedded within the lectures (e.g. interactive in-class exercises) and the assignment. A central ethos of the module is interactive and participative. 

Reassessment

Additional costs