The Environmental Management Plan at University of São Paulo: A Methodology for Sustainable Buildings Policy and Its Further Developments

Abstract

The “Environmental Guidelines Policy”, developed by the University of São Paulo (USP), pointed out the need to create an “Environmental Management Plan” to all university campuses. Thus, the Superintendence of Environmental Management assigned several Working Groups in order to elaborate the thematic chapters of this plan. Therefore, this article addresses the methodology adopted by the Sustainable Buildings Working Group (SBWG) and its further developments. The SBWG, composed by professors, graduate and postgraduate students and technical staff, framed the theoretical and practical debate towards the development of the Sustainable Buildings Policy. This policy has four general objectives: building requalification, design, construction, and post-occupancy of campuses buildings. Each general objective was then detailed into specific objectives, which in turn were analyzed in terms of necessary actions, indicators, goals and members in charge. The heterogeneity among the SBWG members has contributed to a balanced approach between practical and organizational questions of USP and academic wills, leading to a qualitative gain in the working process. As a matter of fact, this experience evidences the great potential for University Campuses to operate as a bridge between practical and academic experiences, functioning as a real-scale sustainable project laboratory.