the Edge has been running a series of workshop discussions on undergraduate education for built and natural environment professionals asking the question whether we need to reform education in the face of the climate and nature emergencies.
As a result of these meetings a group of institutions* have agreed to the following statement:
“We the undersigned have a shared understanding that the climate and nature emergency presents an existential crisis not just for our immediate environment, but also for our planet. It is fundamental that undergraduate education in all built and natural environment professions adequately responds to this crisis. It needs to teach climate and environmental literacy and ethics and develop the ability in students to collaborate, communicate, challenge and advocate.
“We agree that urgent action is required, and that this will require active collaboration between educators, industry, professional institutions and accreditation bodies.”
* The Architects Registration Board, The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), The Commonwealth Engineers’ Council, The Construction Industry Council (CIC), The Engineering Council (EC), Engineers without Borders UK (EWB-UK), Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), The Landscape Institute (LI), The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The Society for the Environment (SocEnv).
Download the Press Statement
Education Roundtable (Edge Debate 167) - 6th July 2023
A Roundtable discussion about undergraduate education for built environment professionals
Downloads:
Education Roundtable Agenda 060723
Workshop 1 (Edge Debate 168) - 13th february 2024
Students/Recent Graduates and Industry – What is needed?
Downloads:
E4C-Workshop 1 Talking points E4C Workshop 1 - Notes
Workshop 2 (Edge Debate 169) - 21st March 2024
Universities – How can Universities provide those needs?
Downloads:
Workshop 3 (Edge Debate 170) - 25th April 2024
Accreditation bodies/Professional Institutions – What should the requirements be that satisfy those needs?
E4C Workshop 3 - Agenda + Propositions E4C Particpants biographies E4C Workshop 3 - meeting notes