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Buildings currently account for approximately 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. At the American Institute of Architects, we approach sustainability and green building with a solutions-based approach that seeks to reduce the impact of the built environment on the natural world.

The AIA has sought to develop resources and tools through our Local Leaders in Sustainability study for cities across the country that are developing or expanding green building programs. Green Building Policy in a Changing Economic Environment is the fourth report in this series. By updating and adding to our original report on green cities we hope to provide policymakers and implementers with the tools to navigate a changed economic landscape and keep a strong emphasis on making their communities more sustainable.

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

History
In the nearly three years since the research began for the original Local Leaders in Sustainability, A Study of Green Building Programs in Our Nation’s Communities report, green building programs have continued their quick rate of growth. Even during this economic downturn the responses gathered in the current report indicate the majority of policies will remain stable or expand in the upcoming months and years.

Local Leaders in Sustainability provides recommendations on continued greening for communities across the country. It t is important to revisit these goals, and to build upon them with our analysis of the current data. In 2007, the AIA made six recommendations to local officials:

    • Be inclusive

    • Architects are here to help

    • Hire a director of sustainability

    • Train and accredit municipal employees

    • Keep it simple

    • Implement additional sustainability initiatives

In an effort to encourage the continued growth of green building, these four recommendations have been added to in 2009:

    • Pursue green economic development

    • Make it regional

    • Remove legal barriers

    • Green buildings need green communities

The AIA’s ongoing analysis of the state of green building has concluded that the future looks bright for sustainable design. As investments in green building at the local level continue to increase and as the country climbs out of the recession, communities will continue to shift their economies toward a sustainable, clean energy future.