Student accommodation, environmental behaviour and lessons for Property Managers

Wilkinson, S; Zajelska Jonsson, A

Student accommodation, environmental behaviour and lessons for Property Managers

Wilkinson, S

Zajelska Jonsson, A

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Publisher:: Emerald
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Property Management, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-01-24

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wilkinson, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9266-1858
dc.contributor.author	Zajelska Jonsson, A
dc.date.accessioned	2021-01-24T09:47:32Z
dc.date.available	2021-01-24
dc.date.available	2021-01-24T09:47:32Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-24
dc.identifier.citation	Property Management, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	0263-7472
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/145573
dc.description.abstract	Purpose Humans have been aware of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions for over three decades however, per capita GHG and water consumption increase, and environmental impacts, grow. The built environment overall contributes around 40% of total global GHG emissions and action is vital. Whilst the built environment industry, professions, regulators and stakeholders have acted; increasing building code standards and developing building rating tools and technology to reduce energy and water consumption exists, our environmental impact grows because of human behaviour. In the tertiary education sector. student accommodation constitutes a large part of the real estate of the university; and contributes large amounts of their GHG emissions and environmental impact. Property Managers have the ability to educate and install systems and technologies to improve behaviour if they understand it. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory pilot study used a questionnaire survey to explore how student’s worldviews differ to one another and the possible subsequent limitations to behaviour in the context of climate change. Analysis is conducted based on 71 responses from international university students living in residential accommodation on campuses in Stockholm. Findings The results suggest that there are different perceptions about the environment and the actions that are needed, and; that this leads to different behaviours amongst students. The findings suggest that the limited knowledge and ability to relate environmental consequences to one’s own actions, as well as effective communication and risk averse behaviour, is one of the critical factors in mitigating climate change. A deeper understanding of participants worldviews and the different resulting behaviours was achieved through the survey. Research limitation This pilot study was conducted with the participation of a relatively small number of university students. It is recommended that future studies expand the number of participants, including representatives with more varied backgrounds, education levels and different age groups. Originality The knowledge gained about environmental attitudes and human behaviour can help policy makers, regulators and particularly property managers to develop more effective strategies to deliver better sustainability outcomes.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Emerald
dc.relation.ispartof	Property Management
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/PM-09-2020-0055
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess	en
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	This article is (c) Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here - https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/PM-09-2020-0055. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.	en_US
dc.subject	12 Built Environment and Design, 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
dc.subject.classification	Urban & Regional Planning
dc.title	Student accommodation, environmental behaviour and lessons for Property Managers
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	UK
utslib.for	12 Built Environment and Design
utslib.for	15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CCDP - Contemporary Design Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/e-Press
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	true
dc.date.updated	2021-01-24T09:47:08Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Purpose Humans have been aware of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions for over three decades however, per capita GHG and water consumption increase, and environmental impacts, grow. The built environment overall contributes around 40% of total global GHG emissions and action is vital. Whilst the built environment industry, professions, regulators and stakeholders have acted; increasing building code standards and developing building rating tools and technology to reduce energy and water consumption exists, our environmental impact grows because of human behaviour. In the tertiary education sector. student accommodation constitutes a large part of the real estate of the university; and contributes large amounts of their GHG emissions and environmental impact. Property Managers have the ability to educate and install systems and technologies to improve behaviour if they understand it. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory pilot study used a questionnaire survey to explore how student’s worldviews differ to one another and the possible subsequent limitations to behaviour in the context of climate change. Analysis is conducted based on 71 responses from international university students living in residential accommodation on campuses in Stockholm. Findings The results suggest that there are different perceptions about the environment and the actions that are needed, and; that this leads to different behaviours amongst students. The findings suggest that the limited knowledge and ability to relate environmental consequences to one’s own actions, as well as effective communication and risk averse behaviour, is one of the critical factors in mitigating climate change. A deeper understanding of participants worldviews and the different resulting behaviours was achieved through the survey. Research limitation This pilot study was conducted with the participation of a relatively small number of university students. It is recommended that future studies expand the number of participants, including representatives with more varied backgrounds, education levels and different age groups. Originality The knowledge gained about environmental attitudes and human behaviour can help policy makers, regulators and particularly property managers to develop more effective strategies to deliver better sustainability outcomes.

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