Exploring sustainability perspectives of students in built environment disciplines

Purpose The perceptions of sustainability among built environment (civil engineering, architecture and interior design) students in India remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by investigating students' views at selected Indian universities. Design/methodology/approach This study used a survey research design, with questionnaires as the primary data collection tool. It analyzed the data using descriptive and inferential statistics (e.g. t-tests, ANOVA and post hoc tests). Findings Students recognize the importance of sustainability and are eager to learn more, but are generally unfamiliar with the concept. In addition, the study found that the three most common conceptions of sustainability among students were promoting energy efficiency, using renewable energy and reducing waste. Furthermore, the study's results show significant differences in students' understanding of sustainability across academic levels, study programs, and genders. Notably, civil engineering students demonstrated greater awareness, familiarity and interest in sustainability than their peers. In contrast, interior design students lagged behind, indicating a need to integrate sustainability more effectively into their curriculum. Originality/value This research presents a distinctive comparison of sustainability perceptions across various built-environment disciplines, incorporating social sustainability metrics often neglected in technical fields. Focusing on the Indian higher education context, the study offers a unique geographic perspective that promotes globally relevant yet locally adaptable approaches to sustainability literacy.