Transformative learning: innovating sustainability education in built environment
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 4 January 2016
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate how transformative learning is key to innovating sustainability education in the built environment in the region’s universities, in addition to reporting on the research project undertaken to integrate sustainability thinking and practice into engineering/built environment curricula in Asia-Pacific universities.
Design/methodology/approach
The project drew from the experiences of academics in built environment programmes and espoused a collaborative inquiry process wherein the role of the industry was vital. A literature review focusing on sustainability integration into curricula was followed by a workshop which brought together academic and industry participants.
Findings
The general direction of education for sustainability is moving increasingly towards integration and innovation. However, the slow progress of integration of sustainability in the built environment curricula may have been due in part to the outcome/practice-led approach of built environment education, which is the hallmark of the discipline and lends to a largely discipline-based curriculum framework.
Research limitations/implications
The project focused only on the curricula of university programmes and courses taught in the participating Asia-Pacific universities and institutions.
Practical implications
This paper highlights how the framework for the proposed curriculum guide focusing primarily on built environment programmes and courses can provide guidance for potential application in other higher education institutions.
Originality/value
Much is written about embedding sustainability and education in built environment curricula. However, little analysis, application and collaborative work in Asia-Pacific universities have taken place. This paper considers the value of transformative learning in the innovation of the predominantly discipline-based engineering/built environment programmes for sustainability.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This ProSPER.Net project is funded by the United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) and is supported by RMIT University School of Property, Construction and Project Management. The authors likewise acknowledge the contributions of the academics and industry representatives who collaborated in the project and participated in the workshop. They also thank the ProSPER.Net Secretariat and reviewers who provided input in the development of the various outputs associated with this project. Parts of this research paper have been presented as conference papers and as a working paper.
Citation
Iyer-Raniga, U. and Andamon, M.M. (2016), "Transformative learning: innovating sustainability education in built environment", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 17 No. 1, pp. 105-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2014-0121
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited