Course content

The course focuses on the development of transformation pathways for built environment systems (e.g., buildings, infrastructures, automobiles) in order to meet given service requirements within a framework of available resources and limited sinks for pollutants. Particular attention is given to the analysis of stocks, their composition, key drivers, physical inputs and outputs, and the consequences for the environment. The tools used to model and simulate transformation pathways include dynamic MFA, LCA, and potentially other industrial ecology tools, such as EE-IO and CBA.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The students will be able to formulate the key problems related to selected built environment systems, to describe the state of the art tools used to analyze these problems (including their strengths and limitations), and to describe the legal and socio-economic context.

Skills: The students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to select appropriate system boundaries to answer specific questions related to a problem, to develop models suitable to identify alternative transformation pathways, and to discuss different interventions in terms of their effectiveness and potential co-benefits, trade-offs, risks, and barriers.

General competence: The students will be able to conduct a literature research using online databases and library systems, to work effectively in a team, and to communicate their findings in an effective and transparent way in oral (presentation) and written form (scientific report).

Learning methods and activities

Lectures by teachers and external experts, guided self-study for selected case studies (individual and in groups), and seminars with student presentations.
Course language is English.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

TEP4285 Material Flow Analysis or equivalent competence. It is recommended that students have taken courses in Industrial Ecology and Life Cycle Assessment.

Course materials

According to agreement in the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions