Strategies in teaching and learning process on sustainability in the Degree in Technical Architecture of the University of Burgos

Abstract

The University of Burgos faced the 2010-2011 academic year the challenge of starting a new Degree in Technical Architecture, which was the adaptation of the technical architecture studies in Spain according to Bologna System. One of the goals was to introduce sustainability criteria in this academic qualification, so new subjects were taught: Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency. As a novelty the programs of these subjects include such important topics as: Life Cycle Assessment, Sustainability Assessment Tools, sustainability criteria... This new approach to the studies has not limited only to the new subjects. Materials Fundamentals, as an example, raise new issues, such as waste management or recycling. A methodology used in Sustainable Construction is the cooperative teaching-learning method, through the critical study of existing sustainable buildings to later transform a conventional building into a sustainable one.