UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 14 MARCH 2017
Students from the MSc Construction Project Management and MA Planning courses were treated to a study trip to Barcelona at the beginning of March.
The 26 students from Birmingham City University went on several tours and visited some notable construction sites as part of their learning visit. They also enjoyed some of the best of Barcelona including the Camp Nou, Park Güell, Las Ramblas, Mount Montjuic, as well as tapas and the beach.
While visiting the El Raval area, students discovered the long-lasting legacy that the 1992 Olympic Games left in the deprived neighbourhood. They also went on a sustainable development tour to understand how the city of Barcelona incorporates the latest construction technologies such as renewable energy and pioneering waste management systems in its development.
The trip also took them to Sagrada Familia - a construction project that was started 150 years ago and which still has 10 years until completion, and Barcelona’s L9, which is the longest underground project in Europe.
Shadman Afridi commented: “The most memorable part of this trip was the Sagrada Familia. Its amazing structure is beyond anyone's expectations. I wondered how they designed such an irregular shaped structure 150 years ago!”
Visiting these sites helped the students to understand the social dimensions of construction project management above considering just the technical challenges. Study trips help to bring what students learn in the classroom to life, and ensure that students learn how to design and build a better environment for future generations.