Mapping knowledge flow during sustainability assessment

Traditionally regarded as a technical process to determine the performance of buildings against sustainability criteria, calls are now emerging for sustainability assessment to be better integrated with the subjectively-based decisions taken across a project lifecycle, to support stakeholder engagement and to promote a culture of learning about sustainability in practice. In order for sustainability assessment fully to realise this wider role, it is necessary to recognise the significance played by knowledge and its flow between stakeholders in the promotion of a common understanding of the actions required to deliver a sustainable urban environment. This paper presents the findings of a knowledge mapping exercise focused on understanding the nature of this flow during application of sustainability assessment within a university campus building project. Knowledge exists in a variety of types and forms; the key sources drawn upon by a key decision-maker were identified and classified. The mapping exercise stressed the significance of supporting the flow of not only explicit sources of knowledge, but also implicit sources such as expert and tacit knowledge. Ensuring that pathways are dynamic and facilitated through effective management to deliver continued engagement between key decision-makers, the rest of the team and wider stakeholders was highlighted as essential.