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Cities with Green Building Programs Have Increased More Than 400% since 2003
AIA report spotlights geographic breakdown, case study examples and recommendations for local program development
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For Immediate Release |
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Washington, D.C., November 28,
2007 — Since 2003 the number of cities with green building programs has
risen from 22 to 92 for an increase of 418%. In an effort to
examine the eco-friendly initiatives of U.S. cities, the American
Institute of Architects (AIA) commissioned a study of communities
with populations of greater than 50,000 to spotlight the growth and
effectiveness of green building policies. The report, Local Leaders
in Sustainability, analyzed 661 communities’ best practices,
strategies and trends, as well as provides recommendations for
cities that are looking to implement green building programs.
Key findings:
• 1 in 7 cities surveyed currently have green building
programs
• Number improves to 1 in 5 by next year with current
projections
• 39% of citizens live in cities with green building
programs
• 36 cities are in an advanced stage of developing a green
building program
Click here for regional breakdown and case study
examples in full report
“Sustainable design practices have the potential to transform
the built environment from an energy intensive past towards a more
energy efficient, green future,” said Paul Mendelsohn, AIA
vice president, Government and Community Relations.
“Technological advances now allow for the design of buildings
that are efficient, modern, possess great aesthetics and are
financially viable. High premiums for green buildings are no longer
the case as costs are coming more in line with traditional building
practices.”
Case study excerpts:
• Portland offers income tax credit for green building
and projects for energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy
and cleaner fuels. The Oregon Dept. of Energy has awarded 13,000
tax credits of 35 percent of eligible project costs.
• San Francisco established Generation Solar program to
amend the code and streamline the process for solar permitting in
residential applications. Program provides assistance with design
and installation and has resulted in nearly 600 solar installations
city wide.
• Scottsdale was first city to mandate LEED Gold for
municipal buildings. In 2005 one-third of all new single-family
permits adhered to green building standards with 1,123 green
single-family and 20 multi-family homes having been completed as of
2007.
• Chicago has more LEED registered projects than any
other U.S. city. Their Green Roof Program offers $5,000 grants to
help with the planning and installation of green roofs, and as of
2006 there were over 250 public and private green projects in
place, being designed or under construction, which amounts to
approximately 3 million square feet.
• Austin established the first green building program
in the country. A climate protection plan will have city buildings
running on 100 percent renewable energy by 2012 and completely
carbon neutral by 2020.
• Atlanta had the most LEED buildings per capita in the
country in 2006. Their EarthCraft Communities program is a
community guideline that emphasizes walkability, environmental site
plan development, and an overall integrated planning
approach.
Recommendations:
• Hire a director of sustainability within the mayor’s or
permitting department to coordinate multiple departments to develop
the most well rounded program.
• Train and accredit municipal employees on the rating systems
that will be used by the community.
• Include all professionals in the design and construction
industry when developing a green building program to work in a
collaborative manner.
• Maintain consistency in requirements and standards
throughout the community.
• Investigate far-reaching sustainability initiatives
including green purchasing programs, hybrid fleets and streamlining
the solar permitting process.
• Contact local AIA chapters for the insights of architects
who serve on their respective Committee on the Environment and who
have been involved in developing local green building
programs.
Mendelsohn added, “When we spoke with local officials that
have not undertaken a green building program, the prevailing notion
was that they considered themselves behind – even backwards
– in their approach to addressing environmental challenges. To
help spur adoption of green building programs across the country,
the AIA has partnered with both the U.S. Conference of Mayors and
the National Association of Counties to offer our resources for
their members.”
The AIA has developed a SustAIAnability 2030 Tool Kit to assist
cities that are interested in implementing green building programs
in their community, and in early 2008 will be issuing 50to50 – a range of 50 sustainable design
principles that can help achieve a 50% reduction in project fossil
fuel consumption.
Report methodology
The AIA executed a survey group of all U.S. cities with populations
of 50,000 or more, a total of 661 communities representing a total
population of 107,918,963. A response rate of 92% enabled
interviews with representatives from 606 communities. A complete
list of the survey questions is included in the full report.
About The American Institute of
Architects
For 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. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge,
and tools to create better design, and through such resources and
access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.
www.aia.org
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