CURRICULUM CHANGE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

January 2005 saw the launch of the ‘Decade of Education for Sustainability ’ and with it a number of initiatives to promote sustainability within the teaching of built environment disciplines. At the School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, interest was generated by a project working to embed sustainability within the core curriculum of different schools across the university. This paper explores the pedagogical research approach adopted, one which builds capacity through reflective teaching practice. The course contents of the undergraduate programmes managed by the School were audited to establish where sustainability was taught and where further content could be embedded. Staff members were encouraged to engage with the project team and develop their own understanding of sustainability. Sufficient resources were provided to relevant staff to make changes to their courses. In addition, three new courses that have been developed to meet a need to further explore sustainability in the built environment are described in detail. Delivery of these new courses is significant as there has been a move away from the traditional lecture to a more hands o