REMF55-Sustainability and Real Estate

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: j.t.vandewetering@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on developing a conceptual understanding of sustainable development and its applications in real estate markets. The focus is on the adoption of sustainability in the property industry throughout real estate life cycles, including how the concept is relevant and manifests itself at various life cycle stages, i.e. development, design, construction, operation, refurbishment, retrofitting and regeneration. The module also focuses on drivers and barriers for the adoption of sustainable practices in the property industry, including the business case for sustainability. 

Aims:

This module aims to provide insights into the adoption of sustainable development principles in the property industry. Specifically, students will develop a systematic understanding and critical awareness of sustainable development concepts, policy actions, building energy and environmental assessment methods, building construction methods and important property sustainability debates and their relevance to a range of stakeholders in the built environment. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to: 

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  demonstrate an academic and practical understanding of key sustainable development concepts and how these relate to the built environment; 

  
  


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  demonstrate a critical awareness of a range of views from real estate stakeholders on the importance of sustainability in real estate practices; 

  
  

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  explain and critique different mandatory and voluntary energy and environmental assessment methods for new and existing buildings in the built environment; 

  
  


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  identify significant drivers that facilitate the implementation of sustainability in real estate markets and analyse their importance; 

  
  


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  demonstrate a critical understanding of significant barriers and challenges related to the adoption of sustainability in real estate markets, including their relevance. 

  
  

Additional outcomes:

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  deal with complex ‘real world’ issues relating to the impacts of sustainability concerns on the efficient use of property, both systematically and creatively; 

  
  


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  develop report writing and critical analysis skills through appropriate coursework and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences;  

  
  

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  contribute to the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, in particular decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations. 

  
  

Outline content:

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  Introduction to Sustainable Development 

  
  


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  Global Sustainability Concerns 

  
  


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  Policy Frameworks and Legislative Impacts 

  
  


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  Mandatory and Voluntary Energy and Environmental Building Assessment Methods (including balanced scorecards) 

  
  


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  Sustainability Issues for New and Existing Buildings  

  
  

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  Construction, ‘Green’ Buildings and Sustainability 

  
  


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  Sustainable construction methods and commonly used design principles and materials 

  
  


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  The Business Case for Sustainable Buildings 

  
  


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  Environmental Social Governance (ESG), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Socially Responsible Property Investment (SRPI) 

  
  


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  Sustainability and Property Valuation 

  
  

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  Sustainable Development and Property Risk Factors 

  
  


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  Sustainability and Cities 

  
  

Global context:

This module looks at the UK property industry, as well as applications of sustainable development adoption in global real estate markets. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course comprises lectures and practitioner-led seminars. The overall objective of the assessment is to provide insights into sustainability practices in the real estate sector, benchmark sustainability performance and to capture appropriate examples of best practice. The coursework comprises a group presentation and an individual written assignment. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The outputs are: 

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  One group presentation, which examines the importance of sustainability in a real estate context for a specific stakeholder (25%). 

  
  


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  One individual written assignment, which examines the adoption of sustainable development in real estate markets. Guide length: 3,750 words (75%). 

  
  

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass-mark for this module is 50%. 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 26 July 2019