Green Buildings and Development

The built environment is a major source of society’s environmental impact, and is a major opportunity to find solutions.  Recent attention to “green construction” emerges in many domains including energy systems, water use, construction processes, architectural design, site planning and brownfield development, just to name a few. At present, environmental issues can be considered in seemingly unlimited areas of the design and construction process. Yet, advances are slow.  General perceptions assert that green construction costs too much money; that the technologies are not available for meaningful change, and opportunities are not that great.

Emerging research suggests that green construction is cost-effective in the short term and a wise investment for the long run. Green developers and builders create healthier working, learning, and living environments with more natural light and cleaner air. Working and living in such buildings improves occupant health, comfort, and productivity. By building green, developers save money by reducing construction costs and creating sustainable buildings that are in high demand. Owners save money by reducing operation and maintenance costs, lowering utility bills, and increasing occupant productivity.