Green building is escalating
A new report shows a rising trend in the number of eco-friendly buildings in the U.S.
Over the past 4 years, the number of U.S. cities with green building programs has more than quadrupled, according to a new report by the American Institute of Architects. Local Leaders in Sustainability presents results from a study of 661 communities with populations greater than 50,000.
The report shows that 39% of U.S. citizens now live in cities with green building programs. The vast majority are on the West Coast, and California leads the country with 35. Texas is at number 2, with seven such programs. Because buildings are the major consumers of energy in the U.S., these programs are aimed at constructing structures that are more energy efficient, conserve water, and use less toxic materials.
According to the report, 36 cities are developing "advanced" green building programs that also promote other aspects of sustainable community development. Current "efforts of note" are in the Washington, D.C.-to-Boston corridor and California, the report says.
