Regulations, building layouts impede office conversion projects

Even as Congress faces pressure to overhaul outdated permitting processes, builders, architects and property owners cite complex zoning laws as barriers to converting existing office space to residential and other uses.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Colorado releases new statewide building energy codes

The standards, set to take effect July 1, will require local municipalities to meet minimum requirements, including electric vehicle and solar panel compatibility.

By Joe Burns • Updated July 25, 2023

Explore the 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

Vermont delays residential building energy code implementation to July 2024

A legislative committee wants more time to create a state entity to improve international energy conservation code compliance.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

California clears path for safe conversion of underused commercial buildings

The California Building Standards Commission’s vote to amend existing building code allows multiple compliance paths for adaptive reuse.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Cost concerns spur North Carolina’s move to delay vote on building code update

The state’s Building Code Council has shelved a vote on a proposed overhaul of building energy efficiency rules as it waits for reports detailing the costs and benefits of implementing the changes. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Northampton mulls adoption of energy efficient opt-in stretch code

The Massachusetts city is weighing the pros and cons of embracing a specialized stretch energy code to dissuade fossil fuel use in new building construction.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Federal agencies struggle with office utilization, excess space

Officials noted that reconfiguration costs and uncertainty over in-office attendance policies are roadblocks to effective space utilization.

By Joe Burns • July 24, 2023

These 5 cities aim to cool down by scaling up ‘smart surfaces’ in coming years

The benefits of implementing these surfaces across a city may far outweigh the costs, according to the nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which is leading the initiative announced Thursday.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2023

$90M for greener building energy codes awarded by DOE

“Modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events,” the Energy Department said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 14, 2023

Oregon plans to install 500,000 new heat pumps by 2030. Who’s going to do the work?

The state plans to train and provide provide technical assistance on installing energy-efficient appliances to developers, builders, contractors, technicians and others. 

By Kavya Balaraman • July 13, 2023

Scottsdale, Arizona, greenlights commercial green code for new construction, renovations

Scottsdale is Arizona’s first city to implement an amended edition of the 2021 International Green Construction Code.

By Nish Amarnath • July 10, 2023

California greenlights $4.3B funding for energy efficiency, targets underserved and rural communities

The funding will support energy efficiency efforts from 2024 through 2027. Regulators also approved a forecasted budget of another $4.6 billion from 2028 through 2031.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 5, 2023

Massachusetts city mandates net-zero emissions for some large buildings by 2035

Cambridge, Massachusetts, touted its new requirements as the most aggressive in the country, as building performance standards emerge as a key tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 30, 2023

San Francisco invites proposals to convert downtown office spaces into housing, other new uses

The city’s initiative to repurpose underused downtown commercial space solidifies legislation passed last week to simplify commercial building conversion processes.

By Nish Amarnath • June 29, 2023

Coastal cities are sinking as sea levels are rising, increasing flood risks

Individual communities are limited in their ability to stop either phenomenon, experts say, but governments can take steps to minimize the flooding that might result.

By Adina Solomon • June 28, 2023

US will need to triple building retrofit rate to meet decarbonization targets: report

The report urges building owners and occupiers to strengthen their relationships, upskill the labor force and electrify major building systems to avoid a “brown discount” on lease negotiations.

By Joe Burns • June 26, 2023

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.

By Mary Salmonsen • June 22, 2023

When wildfires hit, homes built under fire-resistant codes are surviving. Communities are noticing.

Building code changes resulted in more saved homes in the 2018 Camp Fire in California. With more frequent, intense wildfires likely, Western communities are taking a look but hearing concerns about costs and property rights.

By Amanda Loudin • June 16, 2023

To reduce carbon footprint of existing buildings, Seattle proposes new standards

Mayor Bruce Harrell called the legislation “among the most impactful proposals [the city] can advance to reduce emissions.”

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 15, 2023

New York City Housing Authority says heating system improvements reduced outages by 9%

New York City’s upgrades are just some of many taking place in municipalities across the country, with others also using energy performance contracts to save money to fund future installations.

By Joe Burns • June 12, 2023

Land-use reform efforts could bring 135K new homes to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood

To address its acute housing shortage, the city is allowing greater housing density, relaxing parking requirements and creating affordable housing incentives and mandates in updates to decades-old community plans.

By Kalena Thomhave • June 12, 2023

Federal funding fuels modern infrastructure and economic recovery

How to leverage funding to make long-term investments that stimulate economic recovery and promote growth.

June 12, 2023

Dallas in the homestretch of ransomware attack recovery

Security operations and tools are also getting a refresh as city officials rebuild impacted systems and make upgrades across multiple departments.

By Matt Kapko • June 8, 2023

Building performance standards becoming key climate policy in US cities: report

The number of jurisdictions adopting standards has nearly doubled since 2020, with legislation enacted in three states and nine localities, says a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 6, 2023

Collecting data to support energy-burdened communities poses unique challenges, experts say

Census data isn’t collected often enough to reflect neighborhood demographic shifts, and asking communities to self-report can present additional burdens, panelists said at a clean energy summit.

By Diana DiGangi • May 24, 2023