An Environmental Tool for End-of Degree Projects

Education for Sustainable Development is one of the biggest issues universities must deal with. Hence, environmental tools have been adapted to be used as pedagogical tools. The Life Cycle Assessment approach is a popular environmental study tool utilized across multiple sectors. This paradigm is acknowledged by the European Commission and the worldwide bibliographies as the most effective one for evaluating the possible environmental effects of any activity, good, or service. As a result, the Trimble SketchUp plugin Neighborhood Evaluation for Sustainable Territories (NEST) was developed. The analysis is carried out directly on the neighborhood’s 3D masterplan, and it evaluates a set of indicators that were created in conjunction with a scientific methodology. In order to assess and compare theory with reality, NEST offers a helpful graphical and ergonomic interface. It considers four main neighborhood components: buildings, land use (roads, parking, green areas, etc.), infrastructure (public lighting), and neighborhood user mobility. Within the context of research projects, end-of-degree projects have been developed using this environmental tool.