Voters support mix of short- and long-term building, less clear
on green and sustainability obstacles

Contact: Scott Frank
202-626-7467
sfrank@aia.org

For immediate release:
San Francisco – June 18,2009  –  As funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act begin to matriculate through states, a recent poll from the shows that 87 percent of voters agree with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) that stimulus funds should be split between a mix of short- and long-term projects.  This directly reflects a call to action for which the organization lobbied heavily during the passing of the bill.  The results are from the AIA’s annual voter poll, which surveys opinions and attitudes on a number of infrastructural, environmental and political issues. 

Voters Misidentify Greenhouse Gas Culprits
While voters agree with the AIA’s recommendations regarding how the stimulus dollars should be spent, they are less clear on major issues regarding sustainability efforts.  The number of Americans aware that buildings contribute the majority of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere has fallen – down to four percent from nine percent in 2008.  Voters incorrectly deemed cars and trucks (36 percent), natural causes (22 percent) and emissions from power plants (21 percent) as the major offenders.

“While we are extremely pleased that our calls to action regarding the spending of stimulus funds on shovel-ready and long-term projects have resonated with Congress and the voters, it’s clear we still have work to do stressing the importance of sustainable design in regards to the built environment,” said AIA president, Marvin Malecha, FAIA.  “The energy-efficient retro-fitting of existing buildings, as well as the green development of new ones, will generate jobs for the building and construction industry and have a positive effect on generations to come.”

Less Driving, More Public Transportation
The poll also shows that calls for the building of mass transit centers are gaining traction among the electorate.  The percentage of voters who said they agree federal and state governments should allocate less money for building new highways and more for building mass transit systems rose six percentage points – 68 percent agreeing in 2009, as compared to 62 percent in 2008. 

In addition, voters supported economic stimulus package funds going toward the rebuilding of transportation, sewer and water systems (11 percent) and modernizing of school buildings (6 percent) – an additional area for which the AIA has heavily advocated.

Funding Renewable Energy Sources
Voters also would like to see more money dedicated to the exploration of energy independence.  The percentage of voters calling for the U.S. to become less dependent on foreign oil rose fourteen percent – 65 percent in 2009 as compared to 51 percent in 2008.  More than half of those surveyed (56 percent) indicated they would support a tax that would increase gasoline taxes by 50 percent per gallon if they money went into a 10-year program to develop alternative fuels and create new energy sources. That number dips to 41 percent, however, if funds are invested in programs that reduce global warming, cut carbon emissions and protect the environment.

Through its “Walk the Walk” campaign, the AIA will continues educate, promote and encourage sustainable design among consumers, business owners and architects.  The full results of the AIA’s Nationwide Voter Survey can be found here.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 voters in the United States between January 13-19, 2009. The survey was developed for the American Institute of Architects by The Clarus Research Group. The margin of error for the sample overall is +/-3.1%.

About The American Institute of Architects
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes.  By using sustainable design practices, materials, and techniques, AIA architects are uniquely poised to provide the leadership and guidance needed to provide solutions to address climate change.  AIA architects walk the walk on sustainable design. Visit www.aia.org/walkthewalk.