Moving Toward Green Building Codes
One of the most anticipated speakers at this year's Natural Building Colloquium held in Santa Barbara, CA, was David Eisenberg of the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT). David and his associates are tireless advocates of incorporating sustainable principles into existing building codes. He is an eloquent speaker, who can motivate virtually any audience from dusty natural builders to formal building department officials. David knows how to reach out to people by appealing to their common humanity.
As a building expert, a common question that I hear many people ask when it comes to building codes is: When is the best time to approach building officials about a specific project? David says that 'once you have a good idea of what you want to do, [building officials] need information and time to process it.' In addition, if you're planning to build a nontraditional home, he suggests that you find an official who has already approved a project or building proposal similar to yours. Because of the official's prior experience, he can become an advocate for you during the duration of your project. When you talk to officials, also find out what they are concerned about, so that you can address these concerns directly.
Under the alternative building provisions of the codes, if the plan is stamped by a professional architect or engineer, then the authorities won't change them, partly because they don't want to be responsible.
'Vested industry interests tend to dominate the codes, because they come to all of the meetings where these things are decided,' says David.
A sustainable future
To further the cause of instituting sustainable building codes, David suggests that:
•Builders do good quality work.
•Applicants meet the need of building authorities to feel good about the safety of projects.
•We improve public awareness through publicizing the sustainable building that is done.
•We make an effort to develop good relationships with building officials.
As a model for a broader approach to incorporating sustainable codes into all land use issues, David suggests looking at what is being done at the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (RMI). The RMI have spearheaded an initiative known as the Sustainable Community Development Code Reform.
The objectives of this initiative include:
•Identify key sustainability issues and find ways to address them in the land use regulatory process through new standards, incentives and the elimination of barriers.
•Analyze how current approaches to zoning, such as performance and form-based systems, must evolve in order to promote sustainable communities.
•Explore the nexus between sustainable land use planning and regulation, drawing upon examples from progressive communities that have adopted sustainable land use provisions.
•Develop and implement a sustainable zoning code framework.
•Educate end-users, including local officials, developers, homeowners, and professionals in order to foster awareness of how communities move towards sustainability.
•Act as a catalyst to bring various disciplines together, such as agriculture, health, design and planning to form a coalition to support and promote sustainable development codes.
David emphasizes that it is more important than ever to bring a broad range of disciplines together to fashion integrated concepts for developing a truly sustainable future. His organization can use all the help it can get to further these objectives.
Kelly Hart is the producer of GreenHomebuilding.com and DreamGreenhomes.com.
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