Environmental Engineering 5

To learn methods for advancing sustainability at the urban, regional, and building levels, and to enable students to set their own research themes and apply these methods to conduct evaluation and analysis.

This course examines urban areas, regions (such as municipalities and districts), and buildings themselves, as well as the technologies, systems, and policies used or implemented within them (e.g., energy systems, decarbonization technologies, and resource circulation systems). Students will investigate and analyze these from environmental, economic, and social perspectives and learn management approaches that contribute to their improvement. Specifically, the course introduces methods such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), fieldwork and various social research methods, and environmental externality assessment (e.g., stated preference methods).

In this course, students will first deepen their fundamental knowledge through literature review and field investigations, accompanied by discussions. Subsequently, each student (or group) will conduct independent research to solidify their understanding and practical use of these methods.

1. Understand management approaches for achieving sustainability in regions, cities, and buildings.
2. Acquire various analytical and management methods necessary for advancing sustainability in regions, cities, and buildings.
3. Apply the acquired methods to real-world cases.

Japanese

If the student delivers a solid presentation in their assigned session and actively participates in discussions, they will receive 30% (full score).
If the student participates in the field survey and submits a sufficiently completed fieldwork report, they will receive 20% (full score).
If the independent research includes sufficient analysis and discussion using the methods learned in the course, they will receive 50% (full score).

A total score of 60% or higher from the above components is required to pass the course.

Textbook:
H. Genchi, A. Inaba, and H. Imura (eds.), Introduction to Regional Environmental Management: Analysis and Solutions through LCA, University of Tokyo Press.
ISBN: 978-4-13-062829-7

Because the course covers a wide range of topics, students are expected to complete sufficient preparation and review using the textbook and reference materials.

• Office hours are available outside the scheduled class times in the laboratory or online (via Zoom or email). Please contact in advance by email.

Regionally-oriented course

• Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
• Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
• Course that cultivates a basic interpersonal skills
• Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills

Most classes are interactive

• 7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
• 11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
• 12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
• 13.CLIMATE ACTION
• 14.LIFE BELOW WATER
• 15.LIFE ON LAND