Buildings & Design: Page 4
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Los Angeles public-private partnership works to advance industrial solar
The decade-old Feed-in Tariff program pays property owners for solar energy, but long grid interconnection queues and lingering “mistrust” hinder adoption, a business group leader notes.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 14, 2024 -
Washington, DC, readies tax abatement program for commercial-to-residential conversions
The incentive provides property owners up to $2.5 million for each fiscal year from 2024 through 2026 through a provision that a local attorney describes as “critical to the lifeblood of the city.”
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 12, 2024 -
Trendline
Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive
From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Boston’s first networked geothermal project will electrify 7 public housing buildings
Geothermal systems are a promising approach to transitioning communities off fossil fuels for heating and cooling, experts say.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 9, 2024 -
9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales
The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches
Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 6, 2024 -
ASHRAE, ICC unveil draft standard for GHG emission assessment in buildings
The proposed Standard 240P intends to provide a common platform to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, the organizations say.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 5, 2024 -
3 ways Washington cities are reimagining downtowns
Facing empty offices and shops and less pedestrian activity, these cities are seizing the opportunity for creative placemaking.
By Adina Solomon • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Is the EV revolution over?
Despite a sales slowdown, apartment owners and developers should charge ahead with electric vehicle infrastructure, experts say.
By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 1, 2024 -
FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster
Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in disaster’s wake.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 1, 2024 -
US cities’ outlook for 2024
Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.
By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?
This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings
This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 25, 2024 -
ASHRAE updates energy efficiency standard for existing buildings
The 2024 edition of Standard 100 contains new metrics for setting emissions targets and a “simple” compliance mechanism for energy-efficient and low-emission buildings.
By Joe Burns • Jan. 22, 2024 -
Where land is scarce and housing is costly, some cities are looking up
Jurisdictions across the country are relaxing zoning laws to allow for taller multifamily construction.
By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 22, 2024 -
Affordable housing faces building performance standards challenges, report says
Facing costly upgrades, hefty fines and lacking technical assistance, the affordable housing sector needs more help from cities and states with such policies, says a new American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 18, 2024 -
6 trends that could shape US cities in 2024
Cities will contend with a shifting transportation picture, increased urgency to act on climate change, and innovative policies and technologies to address longstanding concerns.
By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski , Rachel H. Pollack • Jan. 17, 2024 -
Buildings can reduce energy intensity by up to 38%: report
Undertaking energy savings and energy efficiency measures by 2030 can garner up to $2 trillion in annual savings, according to a white paper by the World Economic Forum and PwC.
By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 11, 2024 -
Climate funding takes hit in California governor’s 2024 budget proposal
Transit funding, however, was relatively unscathed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which represents $20 billion in cuts from last year.
By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2024 -
What 2024 may hold for municipal bonds, a ‘crucial financing tool for cities’
Interest rate trends, investor demand and the 2024 elections could all impact the municipal bond market, according to finance experts.
By Gaby Galvin • Jan. 11, 2024 -
New buildings that use natural gas lose final utility subsidy in California
Incentives that indirectly help expand the gas system don’t align with the state’s climate goals, the California Public Utilities Commission said.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 9, 2024 -
To define zero emissions for buildings, Biden administration seeks input
Feb. 5 is the deadline to submit information on Part 1 of the definition, which addresses operating emissions, including those from tenants.
By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 5, 2024 -
Office-to-residential conversions raise questions at the curb
Plan for changes to parking use and curbside activity when approving office-to-residential or office-to-retail conversion, experts say.
By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 5, 2024 -
NYC starts first compliance period for building emissions reduction law
Even though 89% of covered buildings are set to meet 2024 emissions targets, building owners must act promptly to achieve 2030 goals, experts say.
By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 4, 2024 -
Federal court won’t reconsider decision to overturn Berkeley, California, natural gas ban
The denial of the city’s request for a rehearing left the court divided, with a strong dissent by 11 judges. If Berkeley wants to continue to appeal the decision, its next stop would be the U.S. Supreme Court.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 2, 2024 -
What US cities could look like in 2024: 6 predictions
Safer, greener communities with more housing, greater civic participation, and diversified downtowns are what these experts envision for the coming year.
By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 2, 2024