{"id":1004492713,"date":"2020-11-16T03:53:17","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T11:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/?p=1004492713"},"modified":"2020-11-16T03:53:17","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T11:53:17","slug":"debunking-myths-about-sustainable-sites-climate-adaptation-at-greenbuild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/debunking-myths-about-sustainable-sites-climate-adaptation-at-greenbuild\/","title":{"rendered":"Debunking Myths About Sustainable Sites, Climate Adaptation at Greenbuild"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LEED Sustainable Sites credits. Image via Greenbuild<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Transforming the ways buildings and communities are designed, built and operated has been at the forefront of the U.S. Green Building Council\u2019s work for nearly three decades, along with resilience\u2014a concept that, in this industry, relies heavily on the ability to prepare for, absorb, recover from and adapt to adverse events.<\/p>\n

But, in order to be able to adapt, we first need to understand the tools and mechanisms we can use to build a safer and more sustainable future, while overcoming a variety of obstacles related to climate change. With that purpose in mind, a group of sustainability experts gathered on the last day of Greenbuild virtual to debunk the top myths and misconceptions about the Sustainable Sites category of the current version of LEED and climate adaptation.  <\/p>\n

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READ ALSO:<\/strong> Shaping a Regenerative Future at Greenbuild 2020<\/a><\/p>\n

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Karema Seliem, LEED specialist at USGBC, moderated the panel, which brought together Rachel Nicely, sustainable program manager at Sustainable Building Partners; Mikel Wilkins, director of sustainability at TBG Partners; and Stephane Larocque, chief operating officer at Autocase.<\/p>\n

Resilience Is Primarily About Mitigation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the most common questions that arise among industry experts is: What is the current state of the market when it comes to absorbing and adapting to natural hazards? \u201cThe market is really shifting and there\u2019s a big focus on how we plan and design our sites to start addressing these climate action goals,\u201d Wilkins said, talking about the situation in major Texas cities.<\/p>\n

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Mikel Wilkins, Director of Sustainability, TBG Partners. Image via Greenbuild<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

In Dallas, for example, building planners and designers find inspiration in nature. Native and low-maintenance plants play a critical role, maximizing the tree canopy to naturally keep temperatures lower. In addition, the costs of cooling a building can be lowered by incorporating green roofs or\u2014when plants can\u2019t be used to absorb the heat from the sun\u2019s rays\u2014using materials that reflect rather than absorb rays, Wilkins said.<\/p>\n

Due to heightened development activity over the past few years, the impact of flooding and drought has also been intensifying in the Dallas area, as well as in other parts of the country. \u201cWe have this need to reclaim water wherever it can be found,\u201d Wilkins said\u2014and one of those obscure sources of water is condensate, a byproduct of air conditioning units that are used in pretty much every building in the area. Wilkins also mentioned that stormwater management needs to be multi-purpose and serve as a \u201clocal amenity\u201d.<\/p>\n

Another critical area of action for the city of Dallas, Wilkins said, has been protecting, restoring and enhancing its green spaces, trees and ecosystems to help improve air quality and public health. All of these aspects work hand in hand with designing healthy building codes, transit and remote work incentives and enhanced transportation network. <\/p>\n

Reduced Carbon Emissions Can Only Be Achieved Through Energy, Materials and Transportation <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Sustainable Sites credits for the current version of LEED can address adaptation in more than just those three ways. \u201cWithout adaptation, we can\u2019t properly mitigate carbon emissions,\u201d Nicely reiterated, and strategies presented in the SS credits present substantial opportunities for adaptive design. All development projects can receive credits for:<\/p>\n