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 Sustainable Design Guide and Resource Directory for the Chesapeake Bay Area
The
Chesapeake Bay is America’s largest estuary, and a highly
sensitive ecosystem. As the area surrounding the Bay continues to
grow in population, it is critical to the health of the waterway that
development follows “green” building practices.
In 2000, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s headquarters became the
first building to conform to the U.S. Green Building Council’s
highest standards. Unfortunately, other development in the area
has not followed suit. The Bay community clearly needs
information and resources about environmentally-friendly approaches to
growth.
In response, the AIA Chesapeake Bay
is developing a web-based guide to sustainable design and
development. They have held focus groups with civic and
government agencies who confirmed the need for such a tool, and are
building collaborative relationships with the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Chesapeake
Bay Environmental Center for assistance in gathering information.
The target audience for the guide is homeowners within the Chesapeake
Bay watershed. The web site will address topics including:
- Energy efficiency and reducing energy-related costs
- Sustainable design and building strategies
- Tax incentive programs
- Building regulations, including “critical area” requirements and the intent of such regulations
- “Green” building case studies
In addition to discussion of case studies, strategies, and economic
implications of sustainable development, the web site will also contain
a directory of local and regional service providers, architects,
contractors, organizations, and programs that support sustainable
initiatives.
This initiative will have significant benefits for the community,
taking many forms and having lasting results. The program is
regional in its breadth and impact. It will show the community
that individual efforts to reduce the environmental impact of a
building project, while they may seem insignificant in isolation, can
have a substantial effect on the region. As habits and practices
change, the community can expect to see improved health of the Bay,
better air quality, more innovative architecture, and higher quality of
life in the community.
View
all Blueprint Initiatives
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