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. A team of students from the university’s School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment has been given an hypothetical brief to assume the role of an independent real estate and construction consultancy commissioned to advise on the site’s potential.

The postgraduates – studying MSc building surveying, quantity surveying, planning and development and real estate – are working in multidisciplinary groups for the project, which is part of a ‘professional practice’ module. The module is intended to provide a crucial international dimension to postgraduate study and is a key aspect to the development of students’ employability.

The students were briefed for the project by representatives from real estate developers, Wing, which currently owns the site. They have also gathered expert market knowledge from other industry professionals in Budapest, including Nottingham Trent University graduates who hold key positions in leading property firms.

They have spent one 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.

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 now 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 who accompanied the students on the visit, 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. For example, the project helps to extend and enhance organisation, planning, team working, leadership, and presentational skills, and cooperative working.

He added: “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.″

János Gerő, Deputy CEO of 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."

See the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment’s Budapest blog here:
http://ntuadbepostgrad.wordpress.com/