Sustainable Architecture in Local Government

Posted by Administrator on January 25th, 2008

The American Institute of Architects recently released a 58-page report titled Local Leaders in Sustainability: A Study of Green Building Programs in Our Nation’s Communities. The report covers data collected by the AIA from 606 U.S. cities, all with populations over 50,000. Of those cities, ninety-two have active green building programs, while another 36 cities have green and sustainable building programs in the works. From the report:

“…This is what is happening in communities across America, as local elected officials have picked up the mantle of leadership on this issue. Elected officials have been working with planning departments and other dedicated civil servants to craft green building and sustainability legislation in response to the groundswell of support from citizens who are pushing for laws that begin to tackle climate change. As the federal government continues to sit on the sidelines rather than take action on the important issues of the day, mayors, city councils, and other local government officials are taking the lead for a greener future.”

Environmental Sustainability and the Local Contractor

Increased focus on sustainable architecture at the local level can be a great opportunity for local contractors with sustainable building capabilities. The AIA report shows that the number of U.S. cities with sustainable building programs has more than quadrupled since 2002, and that number continues to rise. As cities develop their environmental sustainability programs, many seek input from the professional community to help develop sustainable green building strategy. Becoming part of the conversations and committees around environmental sustainability will be a big time commitment, but it will also put your company in a unique position to influence policy and project specifications. In the long term, participating in sustainable building strategy will associate your company name with “sustainable building” in the minds of city planners and other local decision-makers.

Participating in sustainable architecture and sustainable construction can not only get you involved in strategy conversations, but also provide substantial benefits once you’ve won the sustainable architecture contract. Many cities have established sustainable building incentives such as expedited permitting, waiving of permit fees, property tax abatements, and other rewards for sustainable construction. Working for environmental sustainability can be a profitable endeavor, as well as providing for a better tomorrow.

Establishing Sustainable Architecture Credentials

One way to establish your business as an authority in sustainable construction is to become professionally accredited through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The U.S. Green Building Council established the LEED program to establish benchmarks for sustainable building. Becoming a LEED Accredited Professional will provide a concrete measure of your green-building savvy. For more information on the LEED AP program, see the LEED website. The AIA also offers the 50to50, a handbook of 50 ways architects can reduce energy use in buildings by 50 percent.

Get Involved in the Sustainable Building Conversation

To find where conversations on environmental sustainability are taking place in your community, research whether or not your area has a Sustainable Design Assistance Team (SDAT), or a chapter of the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE). To read the full text of the Local Leadership in Sustainability report, click here.