According to the AIA’s third-annual progress report on its 2030 Commitment, the number of firms signing on to the environmental program is up. At the same time, the proportion of firms reporting progress toward their goal is underwhelming.
Architects involved in the AIA 2030 Commitment, which was established in 2009, agree to work toward designing carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030. The AIA publishes an annual report on firm participation. In this year’s report, the total number of architects reporting progress was up six percent from the previous year.
But the news isn’t all good, Katie Weeks writes. Only 46 percent of the firms that had previously signed the commitment filed a progress report in 2012, a decrease in overall reporting from 2011. Moreover, only 57 percent of the firms participating said they use energy modeling to predict energy consumption. “It seems the industry has much room for improvement,” Weeks concludes.
FULL STORY: Architects are Tracking Carbon, But Not at Scale

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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