Master of Sustainable Built Environment

UNSW's research strengths in this area include: Extreme Weather (climate mechanisms, modelling, bushfire dynamics and fire safety engineering), Biodiversity (marine and terrestrial ecology, living seawalls, ecosystem typology), Advanced Manufacturing, Waste Reduction & Recycling (circular economies, MICROfactories™), Food & Water Sustainability (membrane bioreactors, water-sensitive urban design), Climate Risk & Response (coastal engineering, climate policy, actuarial risk), and Sustainable Cities & Construction (high-performance architecture, urban planning, embodied carbon reduction).

UNSW reduces embodied carbon in the AEC sector by developing sustainable materials such as concrete alternatives, and transforming waste into green steel, ceramics and filaments. Researchers also advance hybrid structures, intelligent systems, and use big data and energy design to mitigate the urban heat island effect, creating positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

Yes. UNSW actively partners with industry, government and the community to implement ecological conservation, adaptive technologies and durable policies. Prospective partners can conduct PhD research with UNSW, explore R&D partnerships, or contact UNSW directly to discuss specific research areas or projects and be matched with relevant experts.

Key researchers include Professor Deo Prasad, an international authority in sustainable buildings and cities; Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, who transforms waste into new green materials; Professor Jason Sharples, an authority in dynamic bushfire behaviour and fire risk management; and Professor Qihe Tang, who works at the intersection of climate change and actuarial research including risk, finance and insurance.

UNSW is advancing resilient smart cities by integrating high-performance architecture with urban planning, policy, and technology research. Solutions include ultra-tall buildings and high-density housing design, electric transportation systems, water-sensitive urban design, and using big data and energy design to mitigate the urban heat island effect. UNSW also works on converting waste materials — such as single-use coffee cups — into new road materials.