The Spatio-temporal Clustering of Green Buildings in the United States

• Published in: Urban studies (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2013-12, Vol.50 (16), p.3262-3282
• Main Authors: Kaza, Nikhil, Lester, T. William, Rodriguez, Daniel A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bgi / Prodig; Building; Buildings; Carbon emissions; Cluster analysis; Commercial buildings; Construction Industry; Ecological sustainability; Emissions control; Energy; Energy Consumption; Energy efficiency; Environmental certification; Environmental management; Geography; Geography of industry and energy; Green buildings; Human geography; Industrial structures. Firms; Institutional buildings; LEED certification; Renewable energy; Residential buildings; Spatial analysis; U.S.A; United States; United States of America; Urban studies
• ISSN: 0042-0980; 1360-063X
• DOI: 10.1177/0042098013484540

This paper explores the spatial and temporal patterns of green building in the commercial and institutional sectors in the US. While these buildings are becoming more commonplace, they have yet to reach a critical mass to affect the entire construction industry. Given the potential for green building practices to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, the paper seeks to understand the geography of green building. Using multiple metrics, it explains the patterning of geography of LEED and Energy Star certified buildings in the US. Strong evidence is found of clustering at the metropolitan and sub-metropolitan scales. This exploratory research serves as a foundation for future research aimed at specifying the nature of agglomerative processes in green buildings.