HISTORY
The School of the Built Environment is one of the oldest Schools in the University that formed the constituent camps of the University of Zambia at Ndola before the formation of the Copperbelt University in 1987.
Established in 1981 at the University of Zambia Ndola Campus (UNZANDO) in Kitwe (this was the forerunner to the Copperbelt University), the School of Environmental Studies (SES) then, now School of the Built Environment (SBE) has developed a proven track record of high-quality teaching and contract research on built environment issues in Zambia and the Southern African region. The School offers degree programmes in the following disciplines: Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Architecture, Real Estate and Urban & Regional Planning. The School also offers a Master of Science Degree in Project Management. In addition the School also undertakes short course training, provides advisory, facilitation, research and evaluation services and is active in the field of national policy development.
After successful completion of these programmes, graduates can be employed as follows: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying (as Quantity Surveyors, Construction and Project Managers, Facilities Managers and Estimators); Real Estate (as Valuers/Appraisers, Estate Managers, Investment Bankers, Development Consultants and Land Managers); Architecture (as Architects, Design Consultants, Facilities Managers and Construction Managers); Urban and Regional Planning (as Town, City, Urban and Regional Planners, Project Planners and Managers). Employment opportunities are found in Government ministries and departments, Banking Institutions, Engineering and non-engineering firms and generally public and private organisations. Many of our graduates have also found work outside Zambia with some working in Botswana and South Africa while others work as far afield as Australia, China, England and USA.
RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Research is pursued through four research and innovations groups: the Architectural Research Group, Real Estate Research Group, Urban and Regional Planning Research Group and the Construction Economics and Management Research Group. The School of the Built Environment has also established a Practice Office registered with the Zambia Institute of Architects and run by academic staff who are registered with the Zambia Institute of Architects, Surveyors Institute of Zambia (SIZ), Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) and the Zambia Institute of Planners (ZIP). The School has also been involved in community work such as providing Architectural works, Quantity Surveying, Township layout planning, and Civil Engineering services to some churches, NGOs, hospitals, and high schools.
The school works closely with a number of Associations and Organizations, such as
1.Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa
2.National Council for Construction
3.National Housing Authority
4.Knight Frank Ltd
5.Sherwood Greene
6.Surveyors Institute of Zambia
7.Government Valuation Department
8.Ministry of Lands, Water and Natural Resources
9.Ministry of Local Government and Housing
10.Ministry of Works and Supply
11.Ministry of Education
12.Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre
13.Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Studies
14.Zambia Institute of Planners
15.Zambia Institute of Estate Agents
16.Zambia Institute of Architects
Funded Collaborative Projects
| Name of Project | Project Budget (US$) | Source Funding | Duration of Project | Partner Institutions/ Organisations |
| Chongwe Integrated Development Plan | 131,000 | Ministry of Local Government and Housing | 2 years | Ministry of Local Government |
| Chavuma Integrated Development Plan | 128,000 | Ministry of Local Government and Housing | 2 years | Ministry of Local Government |
Critical Areas for Partnership with Local and International Organisations
- Nation Council for Construction (NCC): Training, Research and Consultancy
- International labour Organisation: Contract Research in Construction Industry
- Association for African Planning Schools: Research in Informal Settlements and Housing
- Cape Town University Department of planning: Research in Urban Space and Poverty
- Ministry of Local Government and Housing : Research in Urban Planning Policy; Legislative Reform; Small Plans Bureau
- Zambia Institute of Architects: Research in alternative building materials
Linkages & Partnerships
The school works closely with a number of Associations and Organisations, such as
- Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa
- National Council for Construction
- National Housing Authority
- Knight Frank Ltd
- Sherwood Greene
- Surveyors Institute of Zambia
- Government Valuation Department
- Ministry of Lands, Water and Natural Resources
- Ministry of Local Government and Housing
- Ministry of Works and Supply
- Ministry of Education
- Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre
- Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Studies
- Zambia Institute of Planners
- Zambia Institute of Estate Agents
- Zambia Institute of Architects
Funded Collaborative Projects
| Name of Project | Project Budget (US$) | Source Funding | Duration of Project | Partner Institutions/ Organisations |
| Chongwe Integrated Development Plan | 131,000 | Ministry of Local Government and Housing | 2 years | Ministry of Local Government |
| Chavuma Integrated Development Plan | 128,000 | Ministry of Local Government and Housing | 2 years | Ministry of Local Government |
Critical Areas for Partnership with Local and International Organisations
- Nation Council for Construction (NCC): Training, Research and Consultancy
- International labour Organisation: Contract Research in Construction Industry
- Association for African Planning Schools: Research in Informal Settlements and Housing
- Cape Town University Department of planning: Research in Urban Space and Poverty
- Ministry of Local Government and Housing : Research in Urban Planning Policy; Legislative Reform; Small Plans Bureau
- Zambia Institute of Architects: Research in alternative building materials