Recent updates

• Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Green building work group has formed 2 sub-committees which are focusing on many of the GCBL Buildings transition plan recommendations:
  • Energy Retrofits Sub-Committee
    • Implementation activity 1.1:  Increase number of retrofitted homes and businesses.  2019 group has created goal to retrofit all 130,000 buildings in Cleveland by 2019 - 100% of buildings for 50% energy reductions; Retrofit 50% of buildings to net zero; Retrofit 25% of buildings to be energy producers
    • Implementation activity 1.3: Increase availability of energy efficient financing programs.  2019 group is researching a 'Pay as you save' model of energy efficiency for cities, and metrics
  • Building Codes Sub-Committee
    • Implementation activity 1.4:  All new construction to meet LEED standards or equivalent.  Adopted by 2019 group.
    • Implementation activity 1.7:  Modify building and energy regulations.  2019 group has completed and sent to Mayor Jackson a letter of support for the International Code Council's building code with the goal of adoption by the city of Cleveland and State of Ohio.
• Other updates 
  •  Implementation activity 1.8:  Promote zoning and planning codes that require efficient buildings and building siting.
    • Jud Kline writes: "As the Green City Blue Lake Climate Change Initiative provided the inspiration to pursue the development of sustainable building guidelines in Orange Village, I thought you might appreciate being updated on the process we completed last week in Orange Village. The village council  voted on Feb. 10, 2010 to adopt the Orange Goes Green Certification Program for application to building projects in the village."
    • Orange Goes Green Manual (500k, pdf) and Certificate (pdf)
  • Policy 1.4.11:  Create City of Cleveland tax abatement and green building standard. 
    • Cleveland has created a manual and policy linking tax abatements to green building benchmarks.
  • Policy 3.1.6:  Provide Kill-a-Watt or other similar electricity monitoring devices at local libraries.  Existing program exists at Ottawa, Canada library system, where you can see whether a meter is available for check-out.
    • GCBL has contacted all of the library systems in the 7 county region, and none of them have agreed to stock the Kill-a-Watt.  Let your local library know that this is a device you would like available for checkout!

Outline

• Introduction
• Vison and Background
• Goal 1: Retrofit and renovate existing building stock
• Goal 2: Achieve aggressive energy reductions in new buildings
• Goal 3: Educate and improve occupant energy use behaviors
• Goal 4: Implement district-wide solutions and efficient land use planning
• Resources  

Introduction
The building sector in the 7-county area in 2005 contributed more than 29,000,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalents, or 46% of Northeast Ohio's total CO2 emissions inventory.

Residential buildings make up 59% of the building footprint; commercial buildings make up the remaining 41%. 

During Fall 2008 and early 2009, we held a series of work group meetings with building professionals in Northeast Ohio to better understand how we can make changes today and over the coming decades to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings.   We have associated CO2 reduction targets to four broad goals:

Learn more about the emissions inventory here.  Learn more about climate change and building trends, technologies and existing action plans in the background documentation section.  Review the first workgroup presentation here.

Vision and background
Northeast Ohio becomes a leader in the construction and adoption of green building techniques, significantly reducing the energy use needed to construct and operate buildings while improving local communities and promoting local economic development activity.

Background
Nationwide, buildings account for approximately 43% of U.S CO2 emissions.  In Northeast Ohio, the building sector accounts for approximately 46% of the 7 county region's CO2 emissions.   Of the 43% of building emissions nationally, electricity use accounts for 71% of building CO2 emissions.    In Northeast Ohio, electricity use makes up 58% of residential energy use and 73% of commercial building energy use.  

A transition to cleaner forms of electricity generation has the potential to significantly reduce the building sector's electricity contribution to the region's carbon emissions.  Recent trends, however, have seen electricity consumption grow year-over-year as more electrical devices are introduced into homes and offices, negating some of the impact of cleaner electricity sources and reinforcing the need to focus on energy efficiency.  See the energy transition plan for more details background information and analysis.

The City of Akron, in its "Greenprint for Akron" report, sets overall CO2 emissions reduction targets for both the City and the community (from all sectors) of 5% by 2013, 10% by 2018, and 20% by 2025.   Our action plan for Northeast Ohio sets forth a much more aggressive, yet realistic, path toward reducing CO2 emissions from the building sector by 50% (14,690,380 tons) by 2030 and 90% (26,442,683 tons) by 2050, using our 2005 carbon footprint data as the baseline. 

National Trends
According to estimates from Architecture 2030, roughly 3/4 of the buildings in the United States will be new or significantly renovated by 2030.  The estimated 75% of new and renovated buildings over the next 30 years provide a logical stepping off point to ensure that each new building and renovation in Northeast Ohio includes increased efficiencies.  Since the vast majority of existing buildings will still be around in 2050, we will have to address the energy efficiency of exiting buildings as well as new construction.

Nationally, McGraw-Hill Construction estimates that green buildings made up 10 to 12% of all 2008 new commercial and institutional building starts by value.  By 2013, MHC estimates that 20 to 25% of all new commercial and institutional building starts by value will be green buildings.

MHC estimates that nationally, 6 to 10% of new residential starts by value were green buildings and that this number will increase to 12 to 20% of new residential housing starts by value by 2013. 

         

Northeast Ohio Residential Units
In Northeast Ohio, the residential sub-sector is responsible for 59% of the CO2 emissions from the overall building sector.  This translates into 17,450,592 tons of CO2 emissions per year, or about 14 tons per housing unit in the 7 county region.  In order to meet our climate goals, we need our residential buildings to emit 50% fewer CO2 emissions by 2030 and 90% fewer CO2 emissions by 2050. 

Our climate action plan proposes eliminating 8,725,296 tons of CO2 emissions by 2030, or approximately 7 tons per housing unit.  By 2050, we must eliminate 15,705,532 tons of CO2 regionwide from our residential housing sector, resulting in average housing unit CO2 emissions of 1.4 tons per housing unit per year, or 1,745,059 tons total CO2 emissions from the residential section in the 7 county region.

Our working groups determined that near to mid term, population growth and new residential construction rates in the region will likely fall below the national average.  Census data also reveals that 79% of housing units in Northeast Ohio, just over 990,000 total units, are more than 30 years old.   Both of these factors lead to an increased focus on strategies and activities for energy efficient building renovations and upgrades. 

Regionwide, 6% or almost 75,000 of the housing units are vacant, 64% or 774,099 units are owner occupied and 29% or 353,303 are renter occupied.  Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage, Lake and Lorain counties all have greater that 20% of the overall units renter occupied, suggesting that different strategies and outreach will be necessary to educate and incentivize renters to decrease energy use and to encourage landlords to invest in energy efficiency improvements.  Conversely, Geauga and Medina counties have a much lower percentage of renter occupied homes.  Efforts should be made in these counties to actively develop education programs, outreach and incentives that appeal to homeowners.


An analysis of heating sources for occupied homes in the 7 county region reveals that 83% of homes are heated with natural gas, 11% are heated with electricity, and 2% each are heated with bottled gas and fuel oils.   Natural gas is a relatively cleaner burning fuel and releases less CO2 than many other fuel sources.    The number of homes heated with solar energy of other fuels is 1%.   

Northeast Ohio Commercial Sector
The commercial sub-sector in Northeast Ohio is responsible for 41% of the building sector CO2 emissions.  This translates to 12,126,683 tons of CO2 emissions per year.  In order to meet our climate goals, we need our commercial buildings to emit 50% fewer CO2 emissions--eliminating 6,063,342 tons--by 2030, and 90% fewer CO2 emissions--eliminating 10,914,015 tons--by 2050.    How do we plan for the future where commercial buildings emit only 10% or 1,212,668 tons of CO2 emissions in 2050?

Nationally, more than 57% of energy use in commercial building energy use is consumed for heating and lighting.  Cooling, water heating, ventilation and refrigeration are the next for largest consumption categories at 8% to 7% each.  (EIA Chart)

Nationally, small commercial buildings, from 1001-5000 square feet, account for 53% of the building stock, but only 11% of total energy consumed by commercial buildings overall.   Buildings larger than 500,000 square feet account for less than .2 percent of the building stock, but consume 14% of total energy.  (EIA)

How are we going to accomplish aggressive CO2 reductions?
A number of strategies exist: 
     - zero energy new building goal;
     - increased focus on passive survivability and deep energy retrofits of existing structures;
     - better land use planning and building placement;
     - local, state and federal policies and incentives; and
     - aggressively promoting energy efficiency in all aspects of building operation and construction, including appliances, HVAC, lighting, and other plug loads.

Our working groups identified education of builders and consumers, affordability, increased availability of location-based and energy-efficient tied financing products and incentives, and availability of advanced building products as key factors to creating more energy efficient buildings in Northeast Ohio. The groups also determined that it was important to consider the entire lifecycle CO2 emissions from construction, materials and equipment, and not just electricty and natural gas consumed by the end user.

For most implementation and policy objectives, we have suggested a responsible party, time frame, and cost in the following format:   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate].

Goal 1: Retrofit and renovate existing building stock.

• CO2 reduction target:  Residential: 20% or 2,617,638 tons by 2030
                                            Commercial: 15% or 1,819,002 tons by 2030 
• Resources:   U.S. Department of Energy, EnergySavers website;
                          EnergyStar website;
                          Energy Saving Tips for Your Home from Environmental Health Watch;  
                          Environment Magazine: The Most Effective Actions U.S. Households Can Take to Curb Climate Change
• Implementation activity 1.1:  Significantly increase availability of retrofitted and renovated homes and businesses which are energy efficient and affordable. 
  • Background:   Nationally, heating accounts for 47% of a home's energy use and average housing sizes have more than doubled since 1950.  In our cold climate, heating accounts for a greater percentage of home energy use. See "How green is my house?" for more information. 
  • Background:  The U.K .Code for Sustainable Homes introduced regulations for energy reduction for new houses with aggressive targets: 25 percent more efficient by 2010, 44 percent by 2013, and 100 percent, or zero emissions by 2016.   This binding standard is much more aggressive than Architecture 2030's goal for zero energy homes as the standard in the U.S. in 2030.
  • Education Opportunity:  Payback periods are frequently discussed when buying an energy efficient product with a price premium over a comparable "traditional" product.  What is often missed is that a traditional product purchase that is less efficient NEVER pays for itself.  
  • Policy 1.1.1:  Focus a home performance approach to increasing efficiency, based on building science - insulation, air sealing, lighting - not "bells and whistles."   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.2:  Improve efficiency of existing lighting fixtures.   Increase availability of rebates for CFLs and other efficient lighting.  Create cost neutral or positive pricing compared to less efficient lighting.  California has invested statewide energy dollars to subsidize similar program.    [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.3: Aggressively attack "quick wins" for building energy use reductions through education, incentives and publicity.  Start with regionwide stairwell lighting, parking decks, other 24x7 lighting reduction initiatives through use of occupancy sensors, daylighting sensors, timers, upgrades to efficient fixtures, behavioral changes. (link to example of savings from parking deck and stairwell)
  • Policy 1.1.4:  Implement expedited permitting for projects meeting efficiency and environmental requirements. 
  • Policy 1.1.5:  Improve home weather sealing.  Education on weatherstripping and sealing doors, windows and other building shell penetrations with caulk, foam and other inexpensive sealants.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.6:  Promote and expand existing Cleveland Public Power incentives  [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.7:  Promote and expand FirstEnergy Home Performance with Energy Star program (issue identified: very slow to reimburse contractors promised rebates)   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.8:  Ensure "low-tech" products are installed correctly.  A large percentage of fiberglass insulation isn't installed correctly for maximum performance.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.9:  Incent purchase of energy efficient products - old product buybacks, make purchasing efficient products cost neutral (or even positive) for consumer.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.10:  Partner with Home Improvement retail outlets to provide free consumer education on DIY options.   [Nonprofits/cities, short term, low cost]
  • Policy 1.1.11:  Create Zero Energy Neighborhoods and solution oriented housing. 
    • See example from Austin.   
    • Expand upon successful EcoVillage and Eco Village Cottages in Cleveland area.  Scale to entire neighborhoods.  [Developers/cities, medium term, medium to high cost]
  • Policy 1.1.12:  Sponsor window installation pilot projects that allow for quicker changeouts in the future as technologies change (today, window replacement labor is much of the replacement cost)
  • Policy 1.1.13:  Offer educational opportunites for home owners to learn more about DIY options as well as learn about selecting contractors.  (Perhaps have contractors sponsor some educational outreach events?)
  • Policy 1.1.14:  Create rehabilitation guide for housing, including cost estimates
  • Policy 1.1.15:  Develop information on installing efficient heating devices, including furnances, fireplaces, stoves, space heating and opportunities for solar heating.
  • Policy 1.1.16:  Provide incentives and education on green roofs.  Set targets for roofing professionals in Northeast Ohio to obtain "Green Roof Professional Accreditation" from the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities initiative.    [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.17:  Consider setting targets for high reflectivity roofs in region. (link, link, link)   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.1.18:  Set targets for tree planting to reduce urban heat islands and individual building cooling demand. (link)  
• Implementation activity 1.2:  Increase availability of energy efficient building products and improve architect and builder education and training in region. 
  • Resources: 
    • Infill Design Toolkit (based on Portland, OR, but general ideas apply to other areas).  Prototypes section includes "housing types and configurations that are suitable for common infill situations, meet City regulations and design objectives, and are market feasible."  Potential to create similar documentation for Northeast Ohio communities.   
    • Providing free (or readily accessible) green home plan designs for Northeast Ohio climate.  See Free Green Home Plans examples.  Read about "Saving the Suburbs" and other efforts here.   [EHW/USGBC, medium term, medium cost]
  • Policy 1.2.1:  Increase off the shelf availability of existing energy efficient products.  Potential to create specialized "energy efficiency store" with more selection than existing hardware or DIY stores.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.2:  Build local green product supply industry by creating advanced local showrooms and incubators for new and existing energy and building technologies which allow comparison of products and consumer and contractor education
    • See Stack Heating and Cooling Showroom in Avon; and
    • Sustainable Products Education Center concept for Cleveland, expanding on Mark Norman's House on Third Street
  • Policy 1.2.3:  Develop coordinated builder and consumer education program.  Competing efforts and non-aligned messaging can dilute effectiveness and implementation. [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.4:  Implement Homebuilders Smart Growth Education Program   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.5:  Work with Tri-C Green Academy to inventory the number of contractors, architects and other building trades in 7 county area and set goals for educating a certain percent per year on energy efficiency and advanced building techniques and technologies.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.6:  Link workforce development programs to career opportunities in the energy efficiency field.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.7:  Focus on simple actions - housing orientation, daylighting, summer shading, operable windows.   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
  • Policy 1.2.8:  Focus on home performance improvements based on building science and a systems approach that addresses healthy homes.  [Nonprofits, trade associations, medium term, medium cost]
  • Policy 1.2.9:  Create demonstrations of energy efficient improvements in existing homes, including deep energy reductions [Nonprofits and trade associations, short term, high cost] 
  • Policy 1.2.10:  Promote builder and consumer energy efficiency competitions.  [USGBC, cities, nonprofits, short term, low cost]
  • Policy 1.2.11:  Create awareness and availability (possible a library) of green publications
    • Include titles like: "Materials for Sustainable Sites" by Meg Calkins.  [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]
• Implementation activity 1.3:  Increase availability of energy efficient financing products
  • Background:
    • There is currently an energy efficiency mortgage available nation wide to which buyers can add energy efficiency improvement costs which have been identified by a HERS rater.
    • New York / NYSERDA offers a discounted rate and closing cost assistance for energy star homes  
    • The NYSERDA Energy Smart Loan provides low interest rate financing for energy improvements that are on an approved list.
    • The Energy Performance Consortium is developing the Energy Star Mortgage Program. It is currently in a six state pilot. It provides a refinancing opportunity at a low interest rate including the cost of energy efficient improvements for low and moderate income residents. An approved audit protocol is required.
    • The Keystone Help Loan in PA provides low interest loans for families with incomes under $150,000 for approved energy efficiency components (furnace, insulation), and whole-house loans with even a lower rate where an audit is required (and audit credit). The work must be done by approved contractors.  Participants must complete EPA's Home Energy Yardstick and grant access to utility bill data.
    • In California, state legislation was passed to enable loans for energy efficiency that can be paid back through property taxes over 5-20 years, and are tied to the property with a lien.  Sonoma County has such a program.
    • A private company offers turnkey packages to California cities to implement the program: http://www.greenenergyloan.org/ 
    • In Babylon, New York, funding from the solid waste district (solid waste was redefined as energy waste with carbon content) is used for loans for energy efficiency improvements. The loans are paid back through an assessment to the city which is no more than the estimated savings.
• Policy 1.3.1:  Educate local lenders and help create at least 2 mortgage products tied to location or energy efficiency.   [Nonprofits and trade associations, short term, medium cost]  
• Policy 1.3.2:  Implement "pay as you save" assessment to utility bill (see 1.3 above)   [Responsible party, implementation timeframe, cost estimate]  There are some existing on-bill loan programs from utilties:
  • Midwest Energy (loan tied to property); and
  • San Diego G&E (loan paid off when you move)

Implementation activity 1.7:  Modify and enforce building and energy regulations, standards and codes that require efficient buildings.
                           

• Background:  The 2007 Ohio Building Code is statewide mandatory code, based on the 2006 IBC with amendments. The 2007 Ohio Residential Building Code is mandatory (based on 2006 IECC with amendments). Effective January 1, 2009, Ohio has adopted the 2008 National Electric Code with no amendments.
• Enforcement:  The Bureau of Building Code Compliance (within Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance) has jurisdiction over all state universities, state funded projects, state owned properties, and all other structures other than one, two or three family dwelllings, except where local certified building departments have jurisdiction.
• Code Changes:  The Board of Building Standards, in addition to certifying local building code enforcement departments, considers all petitions for changes to existing codes.
• Policy 1.7.1:  Ensure that existing building codes are followed and that occupancy permits and other inspections do not overlook code required energy improvements.

Goal 2:  Achieve aggressive energy reductions in new buildings.

• CO2 reduction target:  Residential:  10% or 1,745,092 tons by 2030
                                           Commercial:  20% or 2,425,336 tons by 2030
• Background: 

• Inplementation activity 2.1:  Significantly increase energy efficiency and energy production in new residential buildings.
• Inplementation activity 2.1:  Significantly increase energy efficiency and energy production in new commercial buildings.

 Goal 3:  Educate and improve occupant energy use behaviors.

• CO2 reduction target:  Residential:  15% or 3,490,184 tons by 2030
                                         Commercial:  10% or 1,221,668 tons by 2030
• Background:
• Implementation activity 3.1:  Reduce energy use from existing buildings through behavioral changes, inexpensive investments and policy changes.
• Policy 3.1.1:  Increase cold water washing in region.  Heating water takes about 90% of the energy used to wash clothes.  [Individuals, short term, no cost]
• Policy 3.1.2:  Increase air drying of dishes and laundry in region.   [Individuals, short term, no to low cost]
• Policy 3.1.3:  Increase use of programmable thermostats.  Potential exists to sponsor an old thermostat buy back program with credit given toward new programmable thermostat.   [Individuals and businesses, short term, low cost]
• Policy 3.1.4:  Educate on impact of keeping lights off during the day and taking advantage of natural light where possible.   [School, churches, businesses and non-profits, short term, low cost]
• Policy 3.1.5:  Education campaign to turn electrical devices off when not in use decreasing phantom or vampire loads.  [School, churches, businesses and non-profits, short term, low cost]
• Policy 3.1.6:  Decrease energy use from hot water heating systems.   Create residential checklist and best practices (ie, turning down temperature, low flow aerators on sinks and showers) and promote large scale hot water tank insulation effort.   [Non profit (EHW), short term, low cost]
• Policy 3.1.7:  Adoption of enhanced federal appliance energy standards and/or stronger state wide energy codes for appliances (above federal standards).
• Policy 3.1.8:  Expand EnergyGuide to other electronic devices (everything that plugs in). Consumer should know how much power an individual device uses before purchase and without having to buy additional equipment.

• Implementation activity 3.2: Improve consumer understanding of energy use and energy efficient products.
• Policy 3.2.1:  Provide Kill-a-Watt or other similar electricity monitoring devices at local libraries.  Existing program exists at Ottawa, Canada library system, where you can see whether a meter is available for check-out.
• Policy 3.2.2:  Create coordinated educational campaign utilizing media and targeting consumers, inlcluding homeowners, renters and landlords.
• Policy 3.2.3:  Provide consumers with transparency on energy bills, including comparison data with neighborhood averages and CO2 footprint of energy consumed.
  • Positive energy is one software company that develops energy reports.
  • Also See January 30, 2009 New York Times article "Utilities turn their customers green, with envy" .
• Policy 3.2.4:  Building Energy Performance Scorecards - required for property transfer.  Could be based on HERS. 
  • Austin, TX Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure passed in June 2009.
  • ASHRAE Building EQ Scorecard for commercial buildings
• Policy 3.2.5:  Advanced energy metering in homes and buildings - viewable real time, via internet, etc.  Many companies are providing advanced metering devices and software and industry alliances are forming. 
  • See Dencor, DRS Coalition, GridWise, Google Powermeter, HomePlug Powerline Alliance, The Energy Detective (T.E.D.) and ZigBee Alliance.

Goal 4: Implement district-wide solutions and efficient land use planning.

• CO2 reduction target:  5% or 1,478,880 tons (Residential + Commercial)
• Background:  District-wide heating and cooling solutions can significantly improve energy use.  Land use planning and building location play a crtitical role in the overall energy consumption of a structure - both indirect and direct energy. 

        
(click here or on image for larger version)

• National Trend: Urban cores are gaining share in housing starts in more than 50% of large metro areas, however the Cleveland area had "minimal change" in percentage of residential units built in central city, however, in absolute terms 2007 building permits were above the average from 1990-95, while slightly lower than the average between 2002-07.  See article and chart.  Download Residential Construction Trends in America's Metropolitan Regions.
• Resources:
  • Smart Growth America and Reconnecting America have numerous resources on improving building location, and transit oriented development opportunities. 
  • Transect urban-to-rural planning model provides resources on combatting climate change through building design and location.
  • What different neighborhood densities really look like, San Francisco LCV
• Chart: Energy use by building location.
• Maps: Developed land in Cuyahoga County: 1950 Map.  2000 Map.
• Video: Why most efficient building height is between 4 and 6 stories
• Implementation activity 4.1: Increase availability of location based mortgage products
  • Policy 4.1.1:
• Implementation activity 4.2: Align regional incentives to promote sustainable residential and commercial development patterns.
  • Policy 4.2.1: Educate community governments on importance of energy efficiency and smart growth. (Responsibility: Non-profits, trade associations)
  • Policy 4.2.2: Increased grid based development patterns. Tradition grid designs offer better connectivity, lower cost, simplified development and infrastructure costs, and historically have offered higher retained property values.  (Link) 
  • Policy 4.2.3:  Implement programs that incentivize the preservation and rehabilitation of existing neighboords.
  • Policy: 4.2.4:  Prioritize redevelopment of regional brownfields, many of which are centrally located and accessible by transit.
  • Policy 4.2.5:  Aggressively demolish or deconstruct abandoned structures that are not suitable for rehabilitation.
• Implementation activity 4.3:  Promote new construction and renovation of commercial properties that complement region's transportation and land use plans.   
  • Policy 4.3.1:  Local communities apply for grant funding from "Sustainable Communities Initiative" sponsored by USDOT and HUD.  Grants available for integrated land use and transportation planning.
  • Policy 4.3.2:  Devlop strategy and hold design charettes and competitions for re-using abandoned or underutilized assets in region -  e.g., closed shopping malls, forelcosed properties.  (See initial regional work "Reimaging Cities")
• Implementation activity 4.4:  Promote zoning and planning codes that require efficient buildings and building siting and promote built environments that support walking, biking and transit.
  • Policy 4.4.1:  Evaluate street width requirements.  Narrower streets can create more walkable neighborhoods and calm traffic while still allowing for street parking and emergency vehicle access.  The City of Cleveland has a road network built for almost 1,000,000 people, even though fewer than 500,000 people currently live in the city.  This presents an opportunity to calm traffic, increase bicycle, walking and transit amenities, and ultimately improve neighborhoods.
  • Policy 4.4.2:  Consider adopting connectivity index or intersection density metrics into planning requirements.  A simple connectivity index would look at the number of street segments (between intesections and dead ends) divided by the number of intesections.  Determine a connectivity value that is desirable for various Northeast Ohio neighborhoods (1.5 or above is usually considered good).  Intersection density would look to the number of intersections per square mile, for instance.  In both cases, more connectivity and more intersections have been shown to decrease congestion (by providing more routes) and increase the walkability of neighborhoods.
  • Policy 4.4.3:  Develop retail mapping within neighborhoods of region, identifying gaps and incenting new retail services where appropriate.
  • Policy 4.4.4:  Develop and implement greenspace plan which strategically introduces greenspace and open space into neighborhoods, while allowing adequate density to support neighboorhood amenities including retail and transit.
  • Policy 4.4.5:  Update zoning codes and adopt form based zoning principles for key corridors 
    • Background:  Form-Based Codes Institute checklist.   "Form Based Codes: A Guide for Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers" book by Dan Parolek, Kaen Parolek and Paul Crawford.
    • Sample codes:  Links to form based codes Ventura, CA, Grass Valley, CA, others
  • Policy 4.4.6: Update land use plans and zoning codes to reflect a regional strategy of locating housing, investment, and density near existing and planned transit infrastructure   
• Implementation activity 4.5:  Increase used of shared resources, including efficient district-wide heating and cooling applications.
  • Policy 4.5.1:  Develop sample city code and RFP language to permit and request district-wide systems.
  • Policy 4.5.2:  Create GIS mapping of areas that have soil conditions appropriate for geothermal applications.
  • Policy 4.5.3:  Create cost analysis of sample district-wide solutions and toolkit to educate builders and others on how to create and implement.
  • Policy 4.5.4:  Increase "basic" shared resources among neighbors.  See http://culdesaccommune.org/ as an example

Resources

• GCBL resources webpage

 Add your ideas here...

• Create a national standard for home energy performance, like Germany’s Passivhaus standard for air-tight homes that use efficient energy technologies such as ground-source heat pumps have set the benchmark around the world. Northeast Ohio can help the U.S. set benchmarks for reporting the performance of buildings.
• The cost effectiveness of achieving significant energy savings in commercial construction was called into question in a recent study by NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Develepment Association.   Many of the assumptions of the study have been called into question, including utility rate assumptions and building siting used by the study, suggesting that in many cases significant energy savings can actually be achieved in a cost effective manner.