Skip to main content

A tale of three cities: market transformation to LEED buildings in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver

Resource type
Thesis type
(Project) M.P.P.
Date created
2007
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
This study examines why Portland and Seattle have more LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) buildings than Vancouver and recommends policies to bring the city on par with its Cascadian competitors. Through examining LEED buildings, building permits, and conducting stakeholder interviews, this study shows that Portland and Seattle have more LEED buildings because of higher private sector uptake, which in turn is due to the extensive market transformation programs initiated by both municipalities. After exploring various options for increasing private sector LEED uptake, this study recommends that the City of Vancouver: (1) increase its staff capacity and expertise by creating a green building team; (2) offer financial incentives to developers, such as accelerated permitting, to build LEED buildings; (3) promote the informational materials of other green building stakeholders; and, (4) look to partner with the provincial government, local utilities, and academia to deliver tax incentives, technical assistance, and outreach.
Document
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Permissions
The author has not granted permission for the file to be printed nor for the text to be copied and pasted. If you would like a printable copy of this thesis, please contact summit-permissions@sfu.ca.
Scholarly level
Language
English
Member of collection
Download file Size
etd3226.pdf 5.43 MB

Views & downloads - as of June 2023

Views: 13
Downloads: 2