Assignment Question:
Produce a 3000-word report presenting a case
study regarding a civil engineering project that has been designed and or constructed using
sustainability principles and innovative technologies. This project can be a building (residential or
non-residential) or infrastructure, such as a road, highway, or bridge. The aim is to demonstrate
how innovative design and/or construction-related considerations have contributed to the
sustainability of the building or infrastructure.
The report related to the selected building case study should include:
(1) A description of the intended purpose and functionality of the building, and the
sustainability considerations made for its design, construction, and use.
(2) A discussion and critical evaluation of what innovative aspects were implemented as part
of the project, and how these contributed to the sustainability of the building or
infrastructure. The innovative aspects should include at least two of the following:
(a) Innovative construction materials;
(b) Innovative technologies or systems used in the design and or construction phases, e.g.
lean building and consideration for material banks, circular economy, reverse
logistics;
(c) Innovative aspects in the project’s supply chain management;
(d) Digital tools or technologies used in the design and/or construction phases, e.g.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modelling
(BIM), or other technologies covered in the module.
(3) Recommendations of additional innovative aspects that could have been considered that
could further contribute to the sustainability of the building or infrastructure, based on the
discussion and critical evaluation.
Assessment guidelines:
NB: Extensive course materials that include relevant books and journal articles (referenced) have been attached for the assignment. Please read the attached course materials and use them in writing this report.
The assignment should also be structured as follows:
Abstract 200 words
• A summary of all the important aspects of the entire report, including: the purpose, aim and objectives, methodology, key findings or trends found as a result of the discussion and critical evaluation analysis, and a brief summary of the conclusions and recommendations.
Introduction 500 words
Essential background to the building selected as the case study and description of the scope of the report. Possible definitions for terms relating to the case study. Justification of the selection of the specific building or infrastructure by using appropriate evidence. Clear outline of the objectives of the case study. Description of the themes to be discussed in the and their order of presentation, in accordance to the report structure provided.
Main Body 2000 words
Methods
Appropriate references and publications may include (but not be limited to): academic journal articles, conference proceedings, books, government publications, and professional organisations/industry publications.
You may use secondary data, for example, publicly available data, data related to the case study, previously conducted interviews with professionals and experts
Discussion and Critical Evaluation
● Sustainability considerations made for the design, construction and use of the selected building or infrastructure;
● Discussion and critical evaluation of the innovative aspects of the project and their contribution to the sustainability of the selected building or infrastructure (elaborate on related theory to support your arguments). Evidence of focus on at least two of the following:
○ Innovative construction materials;
○ Innovative technologies or systems;
○ Innovative aspects in the project’s supply chain management;
○ Digital tools or technologies;
● Recommendations of additional innovative aspects
Conclusion 300 words
• Effective summary of main themes discussed, and important outcomes resulting from the discussion and critical evaluation. Evidence that conclusions and recommendations are drawn from the data and evidence within the report.
Layout and Referencing (list of references not included in the word count)
• High-quality presentation of the material that conforms to principles of academic writing and contains minimal errors in sentence construction, grammar, and punctuation.
• The report should follow appropriate academic conventions regarding in-text citations and references using the Harvard referencing system.
• Inclusion of the title page, table of contents, and appendices (if applicable) as per the report structure provided.
What makes a good report?
An effective report presents and analyses facts and evidence that are relevant to the specific
problem or issue of the report brief. All sources used should be acknowledged and referenced
throughout, in accordance with the preferred method of your department.
The style of writing in a report is usually less discursive than in an essay, with a more direct and
economic use of language.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT:
The main features of a report are described below to provide a general guide. These should be used
in conjunction with the instructions or guidelines provided by your department.
Title Page
This should briefly but explicitly describe the purpose of the report (if this is not obvious from the
title of the work); remember to add your name and student number/assessment number, and which
assessment it pertains to.
Abstract
The summary should briefly describe the content of the report. It should cover the aims of the report,
what was found, and a brief review of the conclusions. Aim for about 1/2 a page in length and avoid
detail or discussion; just outline the main points. Remember that the summary is the first thing that
is read. It should provide the reader with a clear, helpful overview of the content of the report.
Contents (Table of Contents)
The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page numbers.
Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of
headings and locate a particular part of the report. You may want to number chapter headings and
subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure
that it is clear and consistent throughout.
Introduction
The introduction sets the scene for the main body of the report. The aims and objectives of the report
should be explained in detail. Any problems or limitations in the scope of the report should be
identified, and a description of research methods, the parameters of the research, and any necessary
background history should be included.
Discussion
The main body of the report is where you discuss your material. The literature and evidence you
have gathered should be summarized, analyzed, and discussed with specific reference to the problem
or issue. If your discussion section is lengthy you might divide it into section headings. Your points
should be grouped and arranged in an order that is logical and easy to follow. Use headings and
subheadings to create a clear structure for your material. Use bullet points to present a series of points
in an easy-to-follow list. As with the whole report, all sources used should be acknowledged and
correctly referenced (remember to use the most credible resources available).
Conclusion
In the conclusion, you should show the overall significance of what has been covered. You may want
to remind the reader of the most important points that have been made in the report or highlight what
you consider to be the most central issues or findings. However, no new material should be
introduced in the conclusion. Remember to specifically answer the initial questions posed.
Appendices
Under this heading, you should include all the supporting information you have used that is not
published. This might include tables, graphs, questionnaires, surveys or transcripts. Refer to the
appendices in the body of your report.
