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Unlocking the Full Sustainability Potential of School Buildings by Reconciling Building Properties with Educational and Societal Needs

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  • Oskar Seuntjens

    (Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Matthias Buyle

    (Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Bert Belmans

    (Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
    Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Amaryllis Audenaert

    (Faculty of Applied Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium)

Abstract

This study explores how school buildings can be exploited more efficiently in the future, since, at present, they remain unused for a substantial amount of time. One possibility to tackle this inefficiency, is to involve the local community more closely in usage of its school building. First, a theoretical analysis was carried out to increase the fundamental understanding of the underlying dynamics related to opening school infrastructure to the local community. Second, focus group discussions were organized to research whether involving the local community in the school building was compatible with educational needs. The first highlighted that more extensive building usage could lead to positive social, environmental, educational and economic benefits. In the second, educational experts stressed that they wanted to adopt more innovative and flexible forms of teaching in the future, such as team teaching. Technical directors expressed concerns on safety issues if the local community is to be more closely involved. In the final step, all findings were translated into their technical consequences. From this analysis, it could be concluded that a school building with a high degree of short-term flexibility was the preferred option to reconcile societal and educational needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Oskar Seuntjens & Matthias Buyle & Bert Belmans & Amaryllis Audenaert, 2022. "Unlocking the Full Sustainability Potential of School Buildings by Reconciling Building Properties with Educational and Societal Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12136-:d:924816
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John M. Kamara & Oliver Heidrich & Vincenza E. Tafaro & Sebastiano Maltese & Mario C. Dejaco & Fulvio Re Cecconi, 2020. "Change Factors and the Adaptability of Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. John Marco Pima & Michael Odetayo & Rahat Iqbal & Eliamani Sedoyeka, 2018. "A Thematic Review of Blended Learning in Higher Education," International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL), IGI Global, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Raj Chetty & John N. Friedman & Nathaniel Hilger & Emmanuel Saez & Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach & Danny Yagan, 2011. "How Does Your Kindergarten Classroom Affect Your Earnings? Evidence from Project Star," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 126(4), pages 1593-1660.
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