Question 11: Case study Due to a sudden increase in students applying for civil engineering courses, the University of Greenfields want to expand their civil engineering department. This growth has been driven by a government initiative to increase the number of engineering graduates. The University has been seeking a suitable location to build a new complex which will consist of a lecture theatre, tutorial rooms, student accommodation, sports hall and administrative facilities. The University has stipulated that the design of the new complex must reflect the innovative image it is promoting and meet new and very challenging environmental targets. The final design will be submitted for a prestigious architectural award. Winning the award would raise the profile of the University and contribute to its strategy in becoming the leading University in its field. However, a previous attempt to win a similar award failed due to a lack of cooperation between departments. There is also a history of projects overrunning and overspending. The local authority has stated that any new design must reflect the industrial heritage of the area. The University has employed a well-known architect to design the new complex. An initial budget of £150m has been allocated for the project with planned opening in 2 years for the start of the academic year. One of the local councillors has been quoted as saying that the development could create over 200 local jobs during the build and contribute over £50m to the local economy over the next 3 years. Funding is provided by a combination of government grants (30%), University funds (50%) and a donation from a local business owner (20%). The Local Authority has proposed a disused industrial site within 2 miles of the existing University and 1 mile from Greenfields town centre. The proposed site is close to a new large housing development and is connected to Greenfields via an extensive network of cycle paths. The proposed site has been derelict for many years and has become a home for a wide range of wildlife. Due to its industrial past the site may contain hazardous material including asbestos and chemical waste. The planned expansion of the University has attracted a lot of publicity and there is strong feeling both for and against the development. The local business community see the increase in student population as very positive whilst local residents are concerned that the increased traffic will cause excessive congestion. In addition, a local environmental group is concerned about the impact of the development on wildlife and green space. They have also complained about the proposed closure of the adjacent cycle path during construction. The project is in its very early stages and detailed estimates of time and costs have still to be determined
Question 11: Case study
Due to a sudden increase in students applying for civil engineering courses, the University of
Greenfields want to expand their civil engineering department. This growth has been driven by
a government initiative to increase the number of engineering graduates.
The University has been seeking a suitable location to build a new complex which will consist
of a lecture theatre, tutorial rooms, student accommodation, sports hall and administrative
facilities. The University has stipulated that the design of the new complex must reflect the
innovative image it is promoting and meet new and very challenging environmental targets.
The final design will be submitted for a prestigious architectural award. Winning the award
would raise the profile of the University and contribute to its strategy in becoming the leading
University in its field. However, a previous attempt to win a similar award failed due to a lack
of cooperation between departments. There is also a history of projects overrunning and
overspending.
The local authority has stated that any new design must reflect the industrial heritage of the
area. The University has employed a well-known architect to design the new complex.
An initial budget of £150m has been allocated for the project with planned opening in 2 years
for the start of the academic year. One of the local councillors has been quoted as saying that
the development could create over 200 local jobs during the build and contribute over £50m to
the local economy over the next 3 years. Funding is provided by a combination of government
grants (30%), University funds (50%) and a donation from a local business owner (20%).
The Local Authority has proposed a disused industrial site within 2 miles of the existing
University and 1 mile from Greenfields town centre. The proposed site is close to a new large
housing development and is connected to Greenfields via an extensive network of cycle paths.
The proposed site has been derelict for many years and has become a home for a wide range
of wildlife. Due to its industrial past the site may contain hazardous material including asbestos
and chemical waste.
The planned expansion of the University has attracted a lot of publicity and there is strong
feeling both for and against the development. The local business community see the increase
in student population as very positive whilst local residents are concerned that the increased
traffic will cause excessive congestion. In addition, a local environmental group is concerned
about the impact of the development on wildlife and green space. They have also complained
about the proposed closure of the adjacent cycle path during construction.
The project is in its very early stages and detailed estimates of time and costs have still to be
determined
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
