December 17, 2007—Since 2003, the number of cities with green building programs has risen from 22 to 92; an increase of 418 percent, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In an effort to examine the eco-friendly initiatives of US cities, the AIA commissioned a study of communities with populations of greater than 50,000 to spotlight the growth and effectiveness of green building policies.
The report, Local Leaders in Sustainability, analyzed 661 communities’ best practices, strategies and trends, as well as provides recommendations for cities that are looking to implement green building programs.
Key findings include:
- One in seven cities surveyed currently have green building programs;
- Number improves to one in five by next year with current projections;
- Thirty-nine percent of citizens live in cities with green building programs; and
- Thirty-six cities are in an advanced stage of developing a green building program.
The AIA executed a survey group of all US cities with populations of 50,000 or more, a total of 661 communities. A response rate of 92 percent enabled interviews with representatives from 606 communities. A complete list of the survey questions is included in the full report.
For more information, visit the AIA Web site.
