Postgraduates of QS, surveying, planning and real estate will propose development schemes by the river Danube
A site beside the river Danube in Budapest, Hungary is being assessed for potential development options by property and construction postgraduate students at Nottingham Trent University.
Students from the university’s school of architecture, design and the built environment have been given a hypothetical brief to assume the role of an independent real estate and construction consultancy commissioned to advise on the site’s potential.
The postgraduate students of QS, building surveying, planning and development and real estate are working in multidisciplinary groups for the project, as part of a professional practice module designed to provide a crucial international dimension to postgraduate study and is a key aspect to the development of students’ employability.
Whilst requiring fundamental surveying skills such as building evaluation and appraisal, cost analysis and financial planning, as well as strategy, planning and valuation, this multidisciplinary project also helps to develop personal and interpersonal skills, qualities and attributes, NTU principal lecturer Steven Tyler
The students were briefed by Wing. The real estate developer that owns the site has gathered market knowledge from other industry professionals in Budapest, including NTU graduates who hold key positions in local property firms.
János Gerő, deputy chief executive officer at Wing, said: “I was pleased to welcome the students on this project, which is the company’s largest city re-development scheme and requires very careful planning and preparation.
“As a graduate of Nottingham Trent University, I was particularly happy with the high level of interest from the students who raised valid questions and concerns on their detailed site visit and brief presentation.”
The students are spending a week near to the 36-acre site which sits right on the bank of the Danube and currently houses office, storage and industrial buildings.
The site has an interesting history; until around 1950 it was a harbour and wholesale fruit and vegetable market, before being replaced by a concrete factory built to aid the construction of the metro.
Among the challenges the students need to consider are the high flood risks of the site, and what to do with an unattractive, high-rise office building, as it is this 15 storey structure which will potentially allow developers to build above the typical 30m height.
The teams will produce scheme designs and look at development costing, value management, planning, infrastructure, building construction and surveying. They are being assessed on their level of professionalism and commercial awareness and when back in the UK, will refine their development proposals and produce detailed industry-standard reports and presentations.
Steven Tyler, the principal lecturer in estate surveying, said: “Whilst requiring fundamental surveying skills such as building evaluation and appraisal, cost analysis and financial planning, as well as strategy, planning and valuation, this multidisciplinary project also helps to develop personal and interpersonal skills, qualities and attributes.
“The project helps to extend and enhance organisation, planning, team working, leadership, and presentational skills, and cooperative working.
“It brings together students with different cultural backgrounds and levels of practical experience in a common, collective and collegiate endeavour, culminating in outcomes that far surpass those that would be possible or achievable individually. This activity takes students out of their ‘comfort zone’ and helps them to recognise and develop their capabilities and potential.″
Follow the school of architecture, design and the built bnvironment’s Budapest blog here.
No comments yet