Focus on Skills for a Circular Built Environment in a New Curriculum Development

Abstract

AbstractDespite the increased research regarding the sustainability transition towards the circular economy (CE) model, the existing literature on adopting and implementing the CE concept reinforcing educational approaches in secondary education seems limited. Considering the current challenges and the critical role of education to empower built environment management students to explore new paths of sustainable development and grow into active citizens, conscious producers, and consumers, this contribution investigates new ways of effective tools for teaching CE and sustainability concepts. The literature review has revealed a research gap regarding the formulation of educational approaches to effectively support CE concepts for higher education students, particularly in Swiss Facility Management education. The paper describes and critically discusses how an introduction of CE to master-level students to the circularity and sustainability perspective, prepare them to build prosperity, and act circularly in the future. A list of skills is presented which can be bundled into one holistic education. This provides valuable information for developing suitable programme in Higher Education which aims at the use and development of competitive methods and solutions for managing existing and new buildings that will contribute to lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the production, use, management, and demolition of architecture in a life-cycle perspective should be based on these skills.