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Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Incentive Trends is a joint effort with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to help local government officials incentivize green construction in their communities. State and local government green building incentives range from options that are virtually cost-free to those that involve more investment. The most attractive incentives are tax incentives, density/floor area ratio bonuses, and expedited permitting. The findings show that communities should select incentives based on their financial situation and desired impact on the construction industry. The simpler the policy, the more likely it is to be implemented successfully.

This Local Leaders report focuses on five key areas of green incentives: financial costs, oversight structure, local political and cultural environment, limits to power, and industry engagement. Green Incentive Trends analyzes initiatives instituted by localities across the country in recent years to provide in-depth best practice examples and a focused analysis on strategies that work well for different communities. The report also highlights innovative green architecture and interviews with the architects and local officials that are making it possible. Green building market transformation is accelerating, and these incentives are useful tools to help communities shift toward a sustainable future.

Mission Statement
The AIA has developed resources and tools for communities that are seeking to develop or expand green building programs. These policies are transforming cities across America from an energy-intensive past toward a more sustainable future. A successful, long-lasting green building program needs community involvement that includes the leadership of local officials, architects, and other important stakeholders. The ultimate goal of the AIA, and of all proponents of green building, is to see a day where ‘building green’ no longer exists, and green design is integrated into all buildings.

Local Leaders Case Studies
The programs chosen for case studies in these reports provide an excellent cross-section of American green building policy.

The case studies are meant to provide those in the public sector with actionable data, because one of the ultimate purposes in collecting this information is to create quantifiable best practices that communities can use as they begin or strengthen their own green building programs.

LLIS City Case Studies 2009
Los Angeles | Boston | Grand Rapids, Mich.
Philadelphia | Nashville

LLIS County Case Studies 2008
Alameda County, Calif. | Hennepin County, Minn.
King County, Wa. | Montgomery County, Md.

LLIS City Case Studies 2007
Portland, Ore. | San Francisco | Scottsdale, Ariz.
Chicago | Austin, Tex. | Atlanta

Past Local Leaders Reports

Green Schools, 2011

Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment, 2009

Green Incentives, 2008

Green Counties, 2008

A Study of Green Building Programs in Our Nation’s Communities, 2007



AIA Resources

AIA 2030 Commitment: Pursuing built infrastructure carbon neutrality by the year 2030.

International Green Construction Code (IGCC): This collaboration between the AIA and the International Code Council aims to build consistent and coordinated green building codes.

SustAIAnability 2030 Toolkit: Providing resources on green building in the areas of advocacy, design, and community.

50to50: A resource for architects and the construction industry, providing effective tools and techniques for attaining carbon reductions.

AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE): The Top Ten Green Projects award looks to honor current ‘best practice’ projects on an annual basis.

Sustainable Design Assessment Teams (SDAT): A community Design assistance program that looks to work with local volunteer professionals to develop effective frameworks for a sustainable future.



LLIS Podcasts

Listen to AIA Local Government Relations Director Brooks Rainwater as he interviews Grand Rapids, Mich. Mayor George Heartwell.



Local Leaders Blog

Keep up to date with Local Leaders News and join in the commentary. Tell us about green building breakthroughs happening in your community!



Contact

Brooks Rainwater | Director, Local Relations
Twitter | @CitizenAIA

The American Institute of Architects
Local Government Relations
1735 New York Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20006-5292