Social Equity
Buildings are part of the community: they can contribute to or detract from their surroundings. In some projects, the social imperative is obvious (a nonprofit job center in an underserved neighborhood). In other buildings, the social justice impact is more subtle. The location of an office building influences who will have access to the jobs it houses, for example.
Additionally, the products and materials that make up these buildings, depending on where and how they’re made, have far-reaching impacts on communities and workers around the globe. Learn here about how to consider social equity throughout your design process, from site selection to product selection.
Social Equity
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Three Imperatives to Create the Future of Green Building
Feature Article
The industry will be in a better place a decade from now if we master these skills.
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Resilient Design-Smarter Building for a Turbulent Future
Feature Article
Resilience is the new green. With decades of green building experience, we are ready to face climate change.
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Occupant Engagement: Where Design Meets Performance
Feature Article
No matter how carefully you plan a retrofit or design a building, the occupants hold the keys to environmental performance. But design teams can help them unlock any building's potential.
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Ten Strategies for Growth in a Recession
Feature Article
The economic collapse hit small and mid-sized design firms hard, but many with a green focus have adapted. We asked them to share their stories.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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CO2 and Other Greenhouse Gases
Primer
The family of greenhouse gases extends beyond CO2, with each gas contributing to global warming to some degree.
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Good Ozone, Bad Ozone
Primer
The same ozone that causes air quality problems near Earth's surface protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation high in the atmosphere. This protective ozone layer is thinning due to manufactured chemicals.
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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‘Architects Declare’ Pairs Climate Commitments with Social Justice
News Brief
More than 150 U.S architecture firms have signed on to fight a triple threat: climate, biodiversity, and justice emergencies.
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Reverends Preach Air Pollution Protections
News Brief
The United Church of Christ says there is a moral urgency to tame toxic emissions from 100 plants located in populated areas.
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Four Ways the Just Label Can Promote Equity in Firms
News Analysis
The Just label from ILFI helps turn values into actions by focusing attention on social equity.
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Centering Equity: The Quest for Justice in Green Building
News Analysis
The NAACP says equity has been forgotten by the sustainable building sector.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Resilient Design-Smarter Building for a Turbulent Future
Feature Article
Resilience is the new green. With decades of green building experience, we are ready to face climate change.
-
Occupant Engagement: Where Design Meets Performance
Feature Article
No matter how carefully you plan a retrofit or design a building, the occupants hold the keys to environmental performance. But design teams can help them unlock any building's potential.
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Re-forming the Building Industry: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Spotlight Report
People from marginalized communities are shockingly underrepresented in the U.S. building industry. It’s past time to change that.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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