Will Big Business Go Green On Its Own?

Peter Mithin asks if government should lead be creating and enforcing green building standards, or leading by example instead?

1 minute read

November 8, 2010, 7:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


Mithin says that private enterprise has done a fairly good job of pushing green building standards on their own, driven by the economic incentive. But if there is plenty of cheap land and little regulation, business lack that incentive.

Mithin talks with frequent Planetizen contributor and Vancouver planning director Brent Toderian:

"The hope is that you'll inspire the private sector, but the primary tool that municipalities have is regulation. Our main power is not inspiration; our main power is regulation," says Toderian.

Sunday, November 7, 2010 in GreenSpace

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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