Energy Efficiency

What's Wrong with the "Green" Design Revolution

In an interview with the British inventor James Dyson, Ben Schiller discusses the future of engineering and design in America and the fallacies behind much "green" design.

March 3, 2012 - Fast Company

Study Confirms Environmental Benefits of Adaptive Reuse

Sarah Laskow reports on a new study from the National Trust for Historic Preservation that confirms and quantifies the adage that reuse of a historic building is more sustainable than LEED certified new construction.

January 26, 2012 - Good

Is Energy Efficiency the New Granite Countertop?

John McIlwain explores the market for energy efficient housing, and finds growth across the country.

January 26, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Your Prius Won't Save You

In his new book, The Conundrum, David Owen pierces the magical thinking that has repackaged high-end luxury goods, such as hybrid cars, as virtuous and the idea that we can consume our way out of trouble.

January 14, 2012 - Txchnologist.com

First Look at Cornell's Winning $2 Billion Tech Campus

New details and a visualization from Cornell University's winning proposal to create a "game-changing" applied sciences and technology campus on New York's Roosevelt Island.

December 22, 2011 - BetaBeat

Why Developers are Getting Into Energy Efficiency and Power Generation

As utilities and energy companies move towards distributed power, building owners, businesses, and developers are seeing the possibilities.

December 21, 2011 - The Planning Report

How Energy Efficient are the World's Tallest Buildings?

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai has one of the world's largest condensate recovery systems that diverts and reuses water from air conditioning. One World Trade Center in New York will use 30% less water and 20% less energy.

November 2, 2011 - The Infrastructurist

Are Americans Ready to Live in Smaller Homes?

As the world population reaches 7 billion some U.S. builders are working on smaller, compact homes.

November 1, 2011 - NPR Morning Edition

New Homes to Come With Energy-Efficiency Labels

Last year, developer KB Homes began putting an Energy Performance Guide (EPG) label on every home they build. Is this an idea who's time has come?

August 29, 2011 - Builder Magazine

New Building Material Captures Heat, Releases on Demand

Researchers in China have reportedly created an insulation material that can "retain and release heat according to specific temperature requirements."

August 3, 2011 - Buildings

Government Control Vs. Individual Responsibility

Climate Central intern Ruthie Nachmany writes how one conference on energy envisions individuals taking a role in being energy efficient, while another conference prefers cities creating systems that can lead to energy efficiency.

July 13, 2011 - Climate Central

The Truth About Energy Efficiency

The truth is, it works: a new report shows that energy efficiency standards placed on utilities result in less demand and greater savings.

June 16, 2011 - Grist

Learning From Sweden: Green Cars Don't Reduce Emissions

Despite having the world's most energy efficient, least polluting auto fleet, greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector continue to rise in Sweden.

June 14, 2011 - Common Dreams

There's Oil on Main Street

A 2001 study showed that we can save more oil by building more fuel-efficient cars than by expanding drilling under U.S. soil or in our oceans. Deron Lovaas sees black gold in our cities and suburbs.

March 17, 2011 - NRDC Blog

Transit Accessibility Key to Green

Homes located near transit stops are more energy efficient than homes classified "energy efficient", according to a new study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

March 10, 2011 - USA Today

Energy Efficiency is about Location, Location, Location

A new peer reviewed study reveals that housing located in compact, transit-oriented and location efficient developments are more likely to consume less energy than developments in low density suburban areas.

February 25, 2011 - NRDC

Facelifts for Buildings Can Save Energy

"Reskinning" buildings -- or adding a new facade -- is taking off in Canada and Europe.

February 19, 2011 - Solve Climate News

Developing a 'Smart Grid' in Chicago

Building owners in downtown Chicago are hoping to push forward a project aimed at creating a "smart grid" of energy-efficient and energy-producing buildings.

January 25, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

Energy Efficiency a Booming Biz

Stephen L. Cowell, an energy efficiency expert, says that while other careers are sputtering the business of creating savings by reducing energy consumption is going gangbusters.

January 10, 2011 - Renewable Energy World

The Economic Impact of Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Cary Lowe, Los Angeles-based attorney and advocate for energy efficiency, makes the case for the economic benefits of energy efficiency retrofits to the state of California.

November 5, 2010 - The Planning Report

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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.