Student accommodation, environmental behaviour and lessons for property managers

Abstract

PurposeDespite awareness of climate change for over 3 decades, per capita energy and water consumption increase and environmental impacts grow. The built environment contributes around 40% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; action is vital. Whilst building code standards have increased, rating tools and technology to reduce energy and water consumption are developed; environmental impact grows because of human behaviour. In the tertiary education sector, student accommodation constitutes a large part of the property portfolio, contributing significant amounts of GHG emissions and environmental impact. Property Managers can educate and install systems and technologies to improve behaviour if they understand it.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study used a questionnaire survey to explore how student's worldviews vary and the possible limitations to behaviour in respect of climate change. In total, 71 responses from international university students living in residential accommodation on campuses in Stockholm were analysed.FindingsThe results show different perceptions about the environment and actions that are needed, and this leads to different behaviours. Limited knowledge and inability to relate environmental consequences to one's own actions, effective communication and risk averse behaviour, are critical in mitigating climate change. A deeper understanding of participants worldviews and the different resulting behaviours was achieved.Research limitations/implicationsThis pilot study involved a small number of participants and future studies should expand participant numbers, including those with more varied backgrounds, education levels and age groups.Practical implicationsIf property managers gain a deeper understanding the different behaviours of their residents, they can develop effective strategies to facilitate action that will lower the environment impact and GHG emissions of student accommodation.Originality/valueThe knowledge gained about environmental attitudes and human behaviour can help property and facility managers, policy makers and regulators to develop more effective strategies to deliver improved sustainability outcomes.

Using Living Labs to tackle innovation bottlenecks: the KTH Live-In Lab case study

“…In the business research area focus is on the development of digital services (e.g., "Service design for the sustainable behavior modeling: Smart schedule", [32]). Equally important are social research areas, with co-living topics ("Co-living & Productive space usage"), sociology and behavior ("Occupant pro-environmental choice and behavior" [33]), and health, for instance with the monitoring of quality of indoor environment (with the project "Allergen free indoor environment with innovative ventilation strategies", resulting in a recent publication [34]).…”

Üniversite Kampüslerinde Çevresel Sürdürülebilirliğin Teşvik Edilmesi: Türkiye’den Bulgular

“…However, there exists a scarcity of research pertaining to proenvironmental behavior on university campuses. Besides, prior academic work examining on-campus pro-environmental engagement of university students mostly focused on undergraduates' waste management practices (e.g., recycling, and waste separation) (Chao et al, 2023;Cho, 2019;Largo-Wright et al, 2012;Moqbel et al, 2020) or their environmentally friendly behaviors in specific settings (e.g., dormitories) of campus (Mokrzecka & Nowak, 2019;Thondlana & Hlatshwayo, 2018;Wilkinson & Zalejska Jonsson, 2021). For example, in Cho's (2019) paper, findings suggested that positive attitudes towards recycling, perceived control, negative anticipated emotions, and self-determined motivation lead to on-campus recycling intentions.…”

Innovation diffusion effects on student housing investment in Ghana

“…Product innovation is conceptualised in the housing sub-sector to include improved facilities that offer fully furnished and provide privacy, security and a comfortable living experience (Najib et al, 2011;Adegoke et al, 2021). The Provision of these products is aimed to form the personal character, improve the thought and behaviour of the student, enhance intellectual competence and provide a serene environment for students (Wilkinson and Jonsson, 2021;Hassanain, 2008). On the other hand, marketing innovation focuses on emerging student preferences, such as access to improved individual separate rooms, washrooms, laundry, Internet access and provision of study areas (Sawyerr and Yusof, 2013).…”