What is LEED for Cities? May 22, 2017 LEED for buildings is well-known and widely recognized as the shape of sustainable architecture to come; more than 1.85 million square feet of new or refurbished structures are certified every single day. But what is LEED for cities, and how does it affect the future of building… more info
Category: Development Trends
How LEED Affects Retail Experience
By Megan Rosa Sustainability Analyst Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) With the growth of the internet and smart phone apps, online shopping has altered the way we spend our time and money. According to the World Green Building Council, of the 1,200 enclosed malls built in the US, “about one third are dead or endangered”. 1… more info
Urban Planning & Sustainable Building Development
By Kirstie Hostetter Sustainability Analyst Intern Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) In January 2016, I attended the 12th Annual International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability in Portland, Oregon. One of the most thought-provoking sessions I participated in was a series of speakers from around the world who spoke to the challenges of building livable, urban spaces. Many… more info
Development Trends: Agriburbia and Sportopia
By Alyson Laura Sustainability Maven LEED AP BD+C, O+M Residential development is no longer isolated to boring suburbs lacking basic services like sidewalks and public space. Residents now have diverse options like organic farms or sports stadiums within steps of their front doors. What’s driving these new styles of mixed-use development? Urban planners have long… more info
Electric Cars versus Hybrid Cars
With their relative newness and variety of configurations, a hybrid electric vehicle can become easily confused with an electric car. In simplest terms, electric vehicles rely only on electricity for power while hybrids combine battery-stored power with energy from gasoline. Because of this dual power source, hybrids can be more complicated than pure electric vehicles… more info
USGBC Hits One Billion LEED Certified Square Feet (and counting)
At Greenbuild 2010, Rick Fedrizzi boasted that the USGBC had certified one billion square feet of space in its short 10 year life span. Another six billion square feet of space are slated for review. It’s a good time to go green. Jacquelyn Renée Schneider