Buildings & Design: Page 2

  • A facade of a sustainable glass office building with a tree for reducing carbon dioxide.
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    Building decarbonization guide to be developed by ASHRAE, Noresco

    The guide will provide case studies, guidance and key takeaways to help building owners and operators establish robust plans and feel confident in their decarbonization endeavors, says the chair of the guide’s working group. 

    By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 21, 2024
  • An airplane flies over a rooftop with a solar array in Los Angeles, California
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    moodboard via Getty Images
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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
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    jamesteohart via Getty Images
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    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 in 2024.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • A bird's eye view of the West Facade of the U.S. Capitol Building and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., as seen from a window in a downtown office building.
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    dkfielding via Getty Images
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    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
  • A person speaking into a microphone in front of a brick wall
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    Retrieved from Screenshot: Boston City TV/YouTube on February 09, 2024
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    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 • Feb. 9, 2024
  • An HVAC worker is seen to perform heat pump maintenance
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    welcomia via Getty Images
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    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 • Feb. 7, 2024
  • Aerial shot of city buildings on a sunny day
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    adamkaz via Getty Images
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    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 • Feb. 6, 2024
  • An industrial chimney releasing fumes, steam and polluting gases.
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    Jose Gulias Trigas via Getty Images
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    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
  • Pedestrians and cyclists in front of stores
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    John Moore/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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
  • an empty row of EV chargers at a public park
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    Young777 via Getty Images
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    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
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    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 • Feb. 1, 2024
  • Aerial shot of city streets and tall buildings
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    RoschetzkyIstockPhoto via Getty Images
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    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
  • The backs of three people sitting at an overlook over a city and mountains at sunset
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 31, 2024
  • A person stands at a podium
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    Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 25, 2024
  • Cambridge, Massachusetts - Skyline at twilight.
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    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
  • A modern office with glass windows looking over a green outdoor courtyard.
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    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
  • Aerial shot of urban downtown
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    RoschetzkyIstockPhoto via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 18, 2024
  • Pedestrians and a cyclist cross a crosswalk at a busy city intersection with a burst of sunlight shining through.
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    deberarr via Getty Images
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    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 , , • Jan. 17, 2024
  • View of the facade of a modern building using renewable energy
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    t_kimura via Getty Images
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    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
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed 2024-25 state budget on Jan. 10, 2024.
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    Retrieved from California Governor Gavin Newsom/YouTube.
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    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 • Jan. 11, 2024
  • Dollar bills and finance and banking on digital stock market financial exchange
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    SARINYAPINNGAM via Getty Images
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    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
  • Looking down a city street lined with colorful houses, trees, cars and power lines.
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    Scharvik via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 9, 2024
  • An artistic rendering of a building which is transitioning from fossil fuel use to renewable sources like solar panels
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    Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
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    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
  • Aerial shot of high-rise buildings in a downtown
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    xavierarnau via Getty Images
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    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
  • Teal and orange color of NYC midtown view and the East river from Roosevelt Island
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    Tanaonte via Getty Images
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    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
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    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 • Jan. 2, 2024