Module manager: Professor Barbara Evans
Email: b.e.evans@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Admission to UG programmes in the School of Civil Engineering
This module is not approved as a discovery module
If you are interested in practical application of civil engineering skills or if you are interested in international development then CIVE3460 is an important option for you to take. The module is taught through a series of nine lectures and two seminars - the lecture team are drawn from a wide range of civil engineering and development disciplines. All of the teaching staff are practitioners also currently working in developing countries. The assessment is via the project (100%), which involves assessing the best options and outline design for low-cost housing development using a set of background data and contextual information. The project will help you develop both technical skills and also has a strong element relating to presentation of information in a report and through drawings.
This module will develop student skills in applying engineering knowledge to unfamiliar contexts. Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the environmental health conditions which typically prevail in low-income urban and rural communities outside the UK. They will gain an understanding of the challenges associated with designing engineering solutions in resource-scarce environments under time constraints. Specifically, they will gain knowledge of sustainable approaches to housing in areas which are prone to extreme weather events and earthquakes. In addition, they will further develop their practical communications skills including report writing and drawing for professional clients.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes indicated between brackets):
1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, to define and solve complex technical problems while also understanding and taking in to account wider social and health dimensions (M1, M2, M5);
2. Evaluating and using imperfect data and applying appropriate engineering techniques to develop design solutions in conditions of uncertainty such as during natural and manmade disasters (M2, M3, M4);
3. Design solutions for appropriate water supply and sanitation for informal urban settlements considering social, environmental and economic matters following applicable industry standards and health/safety requirements (M5);
4. Apply integrated approaches to problem solving through design of appropriate emergency housing scheme including additional essential infrastructure and services and which is integrated into existing city-scale services and systems (M6);
5. Evaluate socio-environmental and health impact of solutions by including life-cycle consideration (M7);
6. Use practical skills to investigate problems and propose solutions (M12);
7. Select and apply appropriate materials and equipment and recognise limitations of technologies and processes (M13);
8. Demonstrate effective communication of complex engineering subjects with technical and non-technical audiences (M17).
ACADEMIC SKILLS
-Critical Analysis & Problem Solving: Apply engineering principles to unfamiliar contexts and solve complex problems under resource and time constraints.
-Numerical Analysis: Perform calculations for structural stability, water storage, and sanitation systems in low-cost housing projects.
Research & Evidence Gathering: Evaluate environmental health conditions and sustainable design approaches for developing countries.
DIGITAL SKILLS
Digital Proficiency: Use CAD or similar tools for producing technical drawings and design documentation.
Data Handling: Interpret contextual data (climate, soil, water availability) for design decisions.
WORK-READY SKILLS
-Communication: Prepare professional reports and drawings for clients and stakeholders in development contexts.
Time Management & Organisation: Manage project timelines and deliverables under strict deadlines.
Teamwork/Collaboration: Work effectively in teams during the field course and design exercises.
ENTERPRISE SKILLS
-Innovation & Solution Design: Develop low-cost, sustainable housing and sanitation solutions for resource-limited settings.
-Decision-Making: Balance technical feasibility, cost, and socio-environmental considerations in design choices.
SUSTAINABILITY SKILLS
-Systems Thinking: Integrate sustainability principles into housing and sanitation design, considering resilience to extreme weather and earthquakes.
-Risk Evaluation: Assess health and safety risks in low-income community environments and propose mitigation strategies.
- Poverty and development: global distribution of poverty, global burden of disease, growth and urbanisation.
- Environmental challenges: earthquakes, cyclones, drought etc, man-made disasters, civil disruption, population migration.
- Setting priorities for environmental health interventions.
- Communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental illnesses and psychosocial disorders.
- Appropriate civil engineering materials: pozzolanic cements, fibre-reinforces cement companies, soil stabilisation.
- Low-cost housing technology I: design requirements for comfort conditions.
- Low-cost housing technology II: design requirements for earthquake resistance and cyclone resistance.
- Housing policy and projects, self-help housing, microfinance and urban development.
- Transport planning in developing countries.
- Public and private transport design.
- Appropriate road design.
- Planning and design of appropriate water supply and sanitation for informal urban settlements.
- Management and pricing of water and sanitation services in cities.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seminars | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 9 | 2 | 18 |
| Private study hours | 77 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
There are two drop-in seminars during the semester. These are attended by most of the teaching team and are an opportunity for students to ask any questions about the coursework. Students can bring their ideas and drafts for comment.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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