Design for Equitable Communities
Design solutions affect more than the client and current occupants. Good design positively impacts the future by helping communities thrive—socially, economically, and environmentally.
Learn more about the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
Reproduced with permission of The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20006
Design for Equitable Communities
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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IRA Tax Breaks May Reinforce Inequities, So We Need to Help
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Four tax provisions could be used to include disadvantaged communities in the clean energy transition, but equity outcomes are unclear.
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Keeping PFAS Forever Chemicals out of Building Products
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to negative health and environmental impacts. Getting them out of our building products is going to require work.
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Wood: Is It Still Good? Part One: Embodied Carbon
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The idea that wood is inherently carbon neutral has masked negative impacts. The climate stakes are too high for us to keep buying those claims.
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Wood: Is It Still Good? Part Two: Moving from Carbon to Climate
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Mass timber at scale could make climate change worse. Instead of embodied carbon alone, “climate-smart” practices focus on our increasingly fragile forests.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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COTE Top Ten for 2022 Elevate Community Engagement
News Analysis
The AIA COTE Top Ten for 2002 went above and beyond to bring stakeholders into the fold.
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A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to Green Public Schools
News Analysis
With federal funds flooding in, the industry can transform K–12 education in the next three years—but only if we do it right.
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Forced Labor and the Building Material Supply Chain
News Analysis
Forced labor is used to create many building products, but changes are underway that are helping to address this serious issue.
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Jobsite Hate: Tools for Dismantling an Ugly Trend
News Analysis
Nooses, racist graffiti, and harassment are all too common in the construction workplace. What’s a contractor to do?
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Wood: Is It Still Good? Part Two: Moving from Carbon to Climate
Spotlight Report
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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
Spotlight Report
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Build Green on a Budget: Lessons from Affordable Housing
Spotlight Report
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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
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The housing crisis is also a climate crisis and a social equity crisis. If we change our ways, we can address them all at once.
