The status quo of green-building education in South Africa

Abstract

There is countrywide a lack of relevant and necessary professional and tertiary institutions offering education and training in green building in South Africa. This causes a lack of awareness, knowledge and skill in green-building principles, which directly results in a lack in the introduction and implementation thereof on projects in the property-development industry.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether tertiary institutions have started to incorporate green-building programmes and/or modules in current curricula. A literature review on green building education, not only at academic institutions, but also at property industry educators was done to develop a questionnaire for reflecting the status quo of green-building education programmes at built-environment departments of six South African universities. These departments included quantity surveying and construction management; architecture; quantity surveying, construction management, and urban planning.

The intention of this article was not to investigate curriculum renewal/innovation, but merely to examine the status quo of green building education currently offered by tertiary and professional institutions in South Africa.

Based on the findings, green-building education at built-environment departments of academic institutions in South Africa is lagging behind, and progress seems to be slow. There are, however, signs indicating that positive changes are being made to introduce and implement green-building education.

Keywords: Green building, construction, education, South Africa