Sustainability Related Issues among Construction Students: Analyzing Through Source of Knowledge, Education Preparation and Future Aspiration

The purpose of this research is to analyze the perception of sustainability-related issues among construction students. The perceived importance of sustainable construction is analyzed based on students’ source of knowledge, university education, and future aspirations toward sustainability goals. This study involved conducting surveys from construction management students to determine their perception of the following eight options: environmental sustainability, societal sustainability, economic sustainability, energy sustainability, water sustainability, material choice sustainability, zero-emission sustainability, and lean zero-waste sustainability. The survey aimed to explore construction students’ perception of sustainable design and construction, and what role education plays in this perception. To support these aims, survey evaluation includes both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Students are best equipped to explain their understanding of the listed options, based on their individual experiences. The results show that most students think water sustainability, environmental sustainability, and energy sustainability are “extremely important”. In addition to providing insight into students’ perception of the relative importance of these sustainability approaches, analysis of the survey responses offers key findings on the source of students’ sustainability knowledge, the degree to which students have made decisions about their career paths, and the potential relationship between knowledge gained and students’ perception of the impact of sustainable design and construction options. Analysis of these perceptions is a crucial tool for educators in improving students’ understanding of sustainability goals.