4003 Blog

  How My View Has Changed Initially, I considered the Built Environment as solo professions operating alone. But in lectures, case studies, and group discussions, I now appreciate how much they are interlinked. For instance, an architect's design has to be usable for engineers, and project managers have to ensure that all this is done in financial limits and regulations. With no collaboration, projects could delay at a steep price or simply fail. One great eye-opener was how all aspects of the Built Environment are impacted by sustainability. At first, I thought that sustainability is all about renewable energy or less waste. That it goes so much further, however, influencing everything from material choice and city planning through energy efficiency and social justice, was an eye-opener. Urban planners also need to consider minimization of carbon footprint during transportation planning, and construction crews must also look for sustainable materials without compromising durabilit...

When I started this module, I knew the basics of the Built Environment but not how complicated it was. I thought it involved mainly construction and architecture, but I soon discovered it encompasses urban planning, sustainability, infrastructure development, and project management. How these all come together was made clear once I read the coursework and engaged with other students. My own knowledge before starting this module was very limited. While I was aware of the Built Environment as a general term, I had no idea how it worked as an inter-disciplinary profession. I thought that all the different professionals had their own little silos and each contributed their piece to the jigsaw in isolation. What I soon realized was that the Built Environment is greater than all of its separate parts—it's a sophisticated system requiring integration and coordination among the various roles. Although I had some knowledge of the topic from prior work and interest, I did not appreciate that...