The Chartered Institute of Building Academy's (CIOB) latest massive open online course (MOOC) on sustainable development is to open next month.

The new five-week interactive course follows the success of the CIOB's first ever construction-focused MOOC last year.

The previous course attracted more than 3000 construction professionals across over 100 countries.

The sustainable development MOOC, developed in partnership with London South Bank University, is free and open to anyone working in the build environment sector globally.

It will cover:

• The complexities of sustainability in construction and development of built assets;

• The important roles of innovations, professionalism, ethics, culture and procurement practices and regulations;

• Environmental and economic sustainability and the roles of effective business cases, dynamics of networks and integrated delivery; and procurement practices;.

• Social sustainability in construction and the roles of construction processes, outputs and outcomes on people and society;

• Lessons learned from good and best practices in sustainability, together with challenges and appropriate guidelines for implementation.

Professor Charles Egbu, Dean of School of the Built Environment and Architecture at London South Bank University and CIOB Senior Vice President, is among those who helped developed the new MOOC.


He said: "Almost everything we do could be done more sustainably - it's all about the way we work, the way we live our lives and what that means for society. It's about responsibility for what we do for now and for the future. I very much encourage all construction professionals to be part and parcel of this course as you have the opportunity to learn much more about sustainability from both a theoretical and practical point of view. It's about you and the society you are part of – and what you could be part of creating for the future."

Adrian Montague, Head of CIOB Academy, added: "The CIOB has been delighted to be able to work with London South Bank University to open up the global conversation on sustainability in construction with this free course. We hope this brings sustainability to the front of the minds of those involved with the construction or use of buildings.

"Since its inception in 2016, the Academy has provided practical courses for construction professionals. This new course is another example of our commitment to developing the future leaders in construction by offering access to the latest thinking on key topics. The CIOB Academy's Sustainable Construction and Development MOOC is the second in our series and is freely open to professionals across the industry. I would welcome businesses and industry bodies sharing this course widely, helping to make a powerful, positive difference to the sustainability standards of constructors."

The topics are brought to life through social learning, questionnaires, videos, articles and quizzes.

By the end of the course, participants should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of sustainability from generic and project specific perspectives and the obligations of stakeholders. They should also be able to evaluate the economic and social considerations of sustainability and their implications on construction processes and practices.

The MOOC on sustainable construction and development starts on 17 September 2018. More information about the course can be found online at: www.futurelearn.com/courses/sustainable-construction-development.

(CM/CD)