Does developing a building to LEED standards cost more -- or less -- than conventional development? There's no easy answer.
"Even as the word LEED becomes synonymous with green building, discussion over whether it actually costs more to build to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards continues - and no cut-and-dried answer is in sight.
...Scott puts the cost between 1 percent and 3 percent, especially for commercial buildings. Developers tend to look at retail and other commercial projects on a 20-year timeline, he said. Cost per square foot is typically lowered, and attention to quality - and to potential long-term returns on LEED projects - may not be as focused as it is in public projects, he said."
FULL STORY: Green builders can prove sustainable projects cost less
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
NYC Congestion Pricing Continues to Show Positive Results
While the Trump administration attempts to revoke the program’s federal approval, congestion pricing continues to reduce traffic, speed up bus travel times, and improve air quality in Manhattan.
Grassroots Dutch Movement Replaces Pavement With Green Space
Neighbors engage in a practice known as “tegelwippen,” picking up paving stones and replacing them with permeable surfaces, often with the support of local governments.
Seattle Builds Subway-Sized Tunnel — for Stormwater
The $700 million ‘stormwater subway’ is designed to handle overflows during storms, which contain toxic runoff from roadways and vehicles.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions