Sustainable Engineering Design and Innovation

Sustainability is central to modern engineering practice, and this unit challenges you to apply innovative design thinking and advanced sustainability assessments to real-world engineering challenges. Building on foundational concepts from Introduction to Engineering, the unit deepens your understanding of how to integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into the engineering design process. Emphasis is placed on circular economy principles and regenerative approaches that move beyond minimising harm, aiming instead to restore ecosystems, revitalise communities, and create enduring positive impact. Throughout the unit, you will consider the broader social implications of engineering decisions and develop a respectful awareness of cultural heritage.

A key component of this unit is a real-world project, where you will refine your problem-solving skills by incorporating advanced design methodologies and sustainability evaluations. Through project-based learning, computational modelling, and sustainability analysis, you will explore circular economy strategies, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools to critically assess and optimise your engineering solutions.



By the end of this unit, you will have the foundational skills and knowledge to design and implement sustainable engineering solutions, balancing technical feasibility with environmental and societal responsibility. These skills will prepare you to drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability challenges, equipping you for a future where engineering plays a crucial role in building a more sustainable world.