photo by Christopher Schoenbohm
Urban Green Council, the New York chapter of the United States Green Building Council, is leading the transition and growth of New York’s green urban landscape. Dedicated to triple bottom line principles, the USGBC‘s aim is to create sustainable and prosperous ways to develop cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Through their multiple resources, building industry professionals are ensured the access, support and knowledge to navigate green challenges.
Initiated two years ago by Mayor Bloomberg, the Urban Green Council’s NYC Green Codes Task Force recently released the most comprehensive analysis of building codes executed by a municipality to date. Their aim is to remove current impediments to green building practices affected by New York building codes. They are attempting to accomplish this by reassessing laws and regulations that govern such things as zoning and environmental protection. The proposed amendments and critical zoning revisions would begin to eliminate existing code-related obstacles, resulting in greener, healthier buildings for all New Yorkers. While many of these amendments are currently in progress, others have already been enacted into New York City building codes. One such success is Local Law 49/2010, which puts environmental protection on the same level as public safety, health and welfare as fundamental principles of construction codes.
Urban Green Council is preparing for a robust 2012, kicking off on January 19 with their prestigious Urban Green Gala. The night will feature two individuals who have earned industry admiration for spearheading green ethics and practices. The honorees are environmental policy expert Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala and President and COO of premier kitchen and bath supplier Davis & Warshow, David Finkel. The proceeds of the Urban Green Gala, membership, and other events will fund the Urban Green Council’s initiatives for the rest of the year. Programs include customized educational programs for owners and managers of the private sector buildings, as well as training programs to provide architects and engineers the framework needed to comply with current building and energy codes in their designs.
The Urban Green Council’s efforts are pivotal to the advancement of sustainability in the urban built environment. The organization and its network of like-minded professionals serve as catalysts guiding New York’s unique urban landscape into a sustainable and resilient future. Individuals and business are are encouraged to join the organization and take an active part in their advocacy, education, collaboration and research initiatives.
