Comments stv57 has made
Building location
Although the blurbs about the buildings may not mention location, accessibility by bike or public transit, etc., the LEED rating system definitely gives credit for these considerations. Check out usgbc.org to learn more.
Also, along with another mention of William McDonough and his "Cradle to Cradle" philosophy (as opposed to cradle-to-grave), check out Ed Mazria and the 2030 Challenge, which challenges us to build buildings that are twice as energy efficient as typical current buildings. And further to progressively raise the bar until buildings built in 2030 are totally carbon neutral. (See architecture2030.org.)
Also check out the work of Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, formerly of SOM, including the Tobacco Tower currently being built in China. (smithgill.com)On 15 Green Buildings posted 1 year, 8 months ago 12 Responses
Not Urban v. Rural People
>> "[t]he average urban dweller has a much smaller carbon footprint than the rural." What is your evidence of this?
The following website lists a state by state comparison of per capita carbon footprints. Those with the highest footprints are some of those states with the most rural populations.
Consider that housing costs per square foot are much higher in cities than in rural areas. Therefore more people live in smaller condos and apartments than in large single family homes. The density of population also makes mass transit economically viable. Not just NY, but also here in Chicago.On High oil prices revive urban oil drilling posted 1 year, 8 months ago 7 Responses