Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

CHAPTER 8Local Gove r n m e n tInformation:Site Is s u e sSustainable Site DesignI M P L E M E N TATION ISSUES.AuthorMichael MyersEnvironmentally sound site selection and design are evolving processes that integratelocal needs with the existing natural environment and pre-existing infrastructure.Designers of local government projects should be especially aware of such issues as accessto the site by public transportation, impact of development on the surrounding community,and inclusion of public amenities, such as recreational green space.Fortunately, local governments are well-positioned to address these issues. They caninfluence the direction of development, for example, by promoting the redevelopmentof urban areas, including abandoned industrial properties (or brownfields). This developmentstrategy takes advantage of existing infrastructure, including sewers, roads, masstransit, and utility corridors; encourages environmental cleanups; and brings jobs tounder-employed communities. It also reduces urban sprawl, which contributes to erodingurban tax bases, regional air-quality problems, and the destruction of farmland andnatural resources. Local governments can encourage such reuse of existing or abandonedproperties and develop green building strategies to promote revitalization of existingurban communities by working with state and federal agencies to revise zoning regulationsand provide financial assistance and incentives to development initiatives.Local governments can also consider and implement development options that utilizetelecommunications technology to reduce transportation needs. Telecommuting, includingthe establishment of telecommuting centers, is being tested in communities acrossthe United States. In addition, the redevelopment of older urban centers can beenhanced by the addition of telecommunications capacity in existing buildings.