CCST9020 Sustainable Development of the Built Environment

The University of Hong Kong

Assignment Brief
Background
The engineering world wonders are chosen as monuments to celebrate and display the achievements of
humankind. Many of the listed wonders were, at their completion, the largest, tallest, or the first of their
type of building or structure. Some were built to meet specific needs, whereas others were built as
celebrations of different types. The lists are made to commemorate how humans have developed
structures and building methods to adapt to building needs and challenges through time.
Some of the wonders are still standing today and they are a testament to the durability and sustainability
of the design and materials used in their construction. Others have since fallen or have been destroyed by
earthquakes or other means. This provides a great opportunity to learn about and discuss these wonders
and the aspects of sustainability that may be involved with them.
The Assignment
For this assignment, the students are required to write a research-based report describing, examining and
discussing the sustainable development aspects or features of a particular engineering wonder or
development. Select any one of the wonders or other developments listed below for the assignment.
Ancient World
Great Pyramid of Giza
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus
Colossus of Rhodes
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Petra

Industrial World
SS Great Eastern
Bell Rock Lighthouse
Brooklyn Bridge
London Sewage System
Transcontinental Railroad
Panama Canal
Hoover Dam

Medieval World
Stonehenge
Roman Colosseum
Great Wall of China
Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
Hagia Sophia
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Taj Mahal

Modern World
Three Gorges Dam
Centair, Japan
Channel Tunnel UK-France
CN Tower
Empire State Building
Golden Gate Bridge
Netherland North Sea Protection Works
Snowy Mountains

Other developments
Dubais World Islands
Burj Khalifa
Tsing Ma Bridge
Chek Lap Kok Airport
China Rail Network

The report should cover multiple matters, while being prepared according to the observations from your
research. Keeping in mind the concepts taught in the lectures and tutorials of the course, the report
should:
1) Describe the chosen wonder or development, including (but not limited to) its background, history
and reasons for the construction;
2) Examine the aspects of sustainable development of the chosen wonder or development, applying
critical thinking skills; and
3) Discuss points of your interest and reflect on the chosen wonder or development, drawing on your
knowledge in your discipline.
The final product will be a professional learning research report that should be readable, useful and
interesting while being relevant to the course.
Written Report Format Requirements, Due Date, and Assessment
The total length of the report shall not exceed 3 pages of text and 1 page of figures (i.e. one page is
defined as one side of an A4 sheet of paper). This length limit does not include your reference list. Be
sure to cite all references used in the writing of the report though (failure to adequately cite will incur
penalty) and note that Wikipedia is not to be cited as a reference source. Make sure you ensure adherence
to proper academic conduct (refer to CCST9020 Course Outline for HKU Academic Conduct Rules). In
particular (but not limited to), you should not directly lift/copy information from other sources such as the
Internet.
The report will be assessed based on the following criteria:
1) Description of the chosen wonder or development (25%)
2) Examination of the sustainable development of the chosen wonder or development (25%)
3) Discussion and reflection drawing on your knowledge in your discipline (25%)
4) Academic writing and presentation of the report (25%)
Quality of independent research and references will be embedded in the four aspects above of the
assignment assessment.
Deadline of submission of this report: 8pm on Thursday, 30 April 2015 (through Moodle)