: Green Building Programs Expanded By 400% Between 2003-2007
Maybe not yet in Vancouver, but it seems in the USA, more and more people want to Live Green: Green Building Programs Expanded By 400% Between 2003-2007
A recent report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has found that since 2003 the number of cities with green building programs has increased more than 400 per cent. The number of cities in the U.S. with green building programs grew from 22 to 92 between 2003 and 2007 thanks to initiatives by local political leaders, officials, architects and grassroots support.
Buildings currently account for close to one-half of all greenhouse gas emissions (I was shocked to hear this!), and the design and construction of green buildings offers the opportunity to create a more sustainable future by slowing climate change, reducing energy costs, and promoting healthy living. "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, the AIA's vice president for government and community relations.
The reports main findings are that:
- Ninety-two cities have green building programs,
or at least 14 per cent of all cities with a population
greater than 50,000
- An additional 36 cities indicated they are in a
more advanced stage of developing green building
programs, forecasting a future of increased green
activity
- The western region leads the way in green building
programs, with 42 cities in just six states, or a total
of 46 per cent of all green building programs
As our communities are increasingly forced to confront increasing energy and water demands green buildings need to be a fundamental part of an overall strategy to address these problems because they create standards for sustainable design within a community. The AIA's ultimate goal for green building is to eliminate the concept of "building green" and have green design integrated into all buildings. I think this is a great idea-if it were required, everyone would do it...and really there is no reason not to-its not that much more expensive and the cost savings in terms of energy bills can be significant!
For more information check out the full report at http://www.aia.org/adv_localleaders
And stay tuned for a summary of the greening of the BC Building Code-coming up soon!
(All cited quotes & figures are from GreenBiz.com, Dec 3 Green Building Programs Expanded by 400 Percent in Four Years: Survey - BreenBiz.com, Dec3)