How can green building technologies promote sustainable transportation?

2 Materials and resources

Another aspect of green building technologies that can promote sustainable transportation is the use of materials and resources that have low embodied carbon and high recycled content. Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, processing, transportation, and disposal of building materials. By choosing materials that have low embodied carbon, such as wood, bamboo, or hemp, green building technologies can reduce the demand for fossil fuels and the associated emissions from transportation. Additionally, by using materials that have high recycled content, such as steel, concrete, or glass, green building technologies can divert waste from landfills and save energy and resources from transportation.

4 Indoor environmental quality

A fourth aspect of green building technologies that can promote sustainable transportation is the enhancement of indoor environmental quality in the building. Indoor environmental quality refers to the physical and psychological comfort and well-being of the building occupants, which can be influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting, noise, and aesthetics. Green building technologies can improve indoor environmental quality by using natural and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials, providing adequate ventilation and filtration, controlling thermal and acoustic comfort, and creating biophilic and ergonomic spaces. By improving indoor environmental quality, green building technologies can also increase the satisfaction and productivity of the building occupants, which can motivate them to adopt more sustainable transportation behaviors, such as telecommuting, carpooling, or cycling.

5 Education and awareness

A fifth aspect of green building technologies that can promote sustainable transportation is the provision of education and awareness to the building occupants and visitors. Green building technologies can educate and inform the building occupants and visitors about the environmental performance and impact of the building, as well as the benefits and opportunities of sustainable transportation. For example, green building technologies can use signage, displays, feedback, and incentives to showcase the energy and water savings, the carbon footprint, the indoor environmental quality, and the transportation options of the building. By providing education and awareness, green building technologies can also foster a culture of environmental responsibility and behavioral change among the building occupants and visitors.

6 Innovation and integration

A sixth aspect of green building technologies that can promote sustainable transportation is the innovation and integration of the building with the broader urban system. Green building technologies can innovate and integrate the building with the surrounding social, economic, and ecological context, such as by creating mixed-use and multifunctional spaces, supporting local and circular economies, enhancing biodiversity and resilience, and engaging with stakeholders and communities. By innovating and integrating the building with the broader urban system, green building technologies can also create synergies and co-benefits for sustainable transportation, such as by reducing travel distances and times, increasing accessibility and affordability, improving safety and livability, and enhancing social and environmental justice.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?