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

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.