Questioning Green Technology

Are the politics of "green technology" overstating the real value? New research takes a hard look at the claims of sustainability.

1 minute read

September 10, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"For the last couple of years, the NREL team has been documenting the operating performance of six green buildings to determine their actual performance relative to their design goals...

In an article in the September ASHRAE Journal, Torcellini, NREL colleague Ron Judkoff, and the DOE’s Drury Crawley report that energy performance in each of these buildings was “significantly better” than minimum code requirements, and each 'broke new ground' in sustainable design. But, the authors note, 'even though each building is a good performer, each used more energy than calculated during design.' "

Thanks to Chris Steins

Thursday, September 9, 2004 in Building Design & Construction

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18, 2024 - Beverly Press

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

13 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video: Making Transit Better

How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.

1 hour ago - CNBC Marathon

Amtrak train passing over tall trestle bridge on California coast at Gaviota Beach.

LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality

A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.

March 27 - SFGate

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.