AUDE Toolkit for a Sustainable Estate

The AUDE Toolkit for a Sustainable Estate consists of tools and guidance. It assists estates professionals make best use of the physical assets of their university, was launched at the AUDE 2010 conference on 29 March. 

The Toolkit for a Sustainable Estate consists of:

A series of examples of Space Assessment Models (SAM) and guidance on how to use them, together with advice on how to develop an institutional space profile.

A Model of Estate Costs (MEC) and user guide. Predicted annualised costs are expressed financially and also in notional carbon emissions.

Using SAM to develop space profiles for the non-residential estate can assist HEIs in maintaining financial sustainability and in the development and implementation of their Carbon Management Plans.

MEC enables HEIs to determine the annualised cost of keeping their estates fit-for-purpose and in good condition, and also allows quantitative estimation of carbon emissions.

Through the provision of quantitative analysis and modeling techniques the tools can enable a robust assessment of the needs of each university for space and facilities. The tools will allow the construction of ‘what if’ scenarios to assist with prediction as institutions develop their forward missions and planning.

The learning, teaching, research and social environment provided by a university’s estate is an increasingly important factor in its performance and marketability; whilst environmental sustainability has never been higher on the agenda for higher education institutions. 

With expenditure on the estate the second largest cost for HEIs and given the financial challenges facing the sector, making best use of an institution’s buildings and facilities is crucial.

The AUDE toolkit will give estates professionals a valuable tool to help them with the strategic management of institutional resources in challenging times.