Amber Richane, Project Manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building.
The Living Building Challenge is the most rigorous sustainable building certification attainable, going beyond the design-based approach of LEED and requiring beginning-to-end operational compliance with strict, regenerative triple net-zero standards. TPR spoke to Amber Richane, project manager for the city of Santa Monica's new City Services Building, on the city's commitment to building the world's most sustainable public building.
Richane walks readers through the innovative technology and design behind the $1,500/square foot 'living' City Hall Annex that will not import or export any water, energy, or waste, commenting:
"We’ve instituted 100 percent clean, green power default for residents and businesses through the regional Clean Power Alliance, and this ‘City Services Building’ is the next level commitment in continuing to drive sustainability. It will be the greenest municipal building in the world"
FULL STORY: Santa Monica Meets the 'Living Building Challenge' By Designing the Greenest Municipal Building in the World
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association