The following paper will explore the future of sustainable building practices as it relates to building design rating systems and whether building design rating systems are effective in conserving energy and resources in the construction of new buildings. This paper will begin by highlighting some of the general principles behind sustainable design practices, and the challenges of determining if building design rating systems are utilized effectively towards the goal of sustainability. In addition, the paper will highlight issues specific to ongoing litigation in Gifford v. U.S. Green Building Council and allegations made within the lawsuit that question the methodology and efficacy of building design rating systems. How political and ideological influences have propelled sustainability practices into the mainstream, and to what extent government is and should be involved in regulating building design rating systems will also be explored. Lastly, how will new energy performance and sustainable design methodologies, which are now being required in the law, affect the professional liability of building design professionals in the future?

Increased demand for energy, rising energy costs, and heightened environmental concerns are driving forces that continually press for the improvement and development of new technologies to promote energy savings and emissions reduction. Combined heating and power (CHP), combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP), and organic Rankine cycles (ORC) are a few of the technologies that promise to reduce primary energy consumption (PEC), cost, and emissions. CHP systems generate electricity at or near the place of consumption using a prime mover, e.g. a combustion engine or a turbine, and utilize the accompanying exhaust heat that would otherwise be wasted to satisfy the building’s thermal demand. In the case of CCHP systems, exhaust heat also goes to satisfy a cooling load. An organic Rankine cycle (ORC) combined with a CHP or CCHP system can generate electricity from any surplus low-grade heat, thereby reducing the total primary energy, cost, and emissions. This research first presents a review of the economical, energetic, and environmental benefits of CHP and CHP-ORC systems for a small office in various climates. Operating the systems 24 hours a day is compared to operating the system during typical office hours and benefits of the CHP system in terms of the EnergyStar and LEED programs are presented. Another objective of this dissertation is to study the critical role of the prime mover on the performance of CHP, CCHP, CHP-ORC, and CCHP-ORC systems under different pricing structures. Three different size natural gas engines are simulated for a small office under different operational strategies such as: follow the facility's electric demand, follow the facility's thermal demand, and follow a constant load. Simple optimizations were carried out to improve the system's performance. Using real prices for electricity and fuel to compute operational costs was compared to using the building's average prices without a CCHP system. Finally, a CCHP system using a load-share turbine for a large office building was examined while considering the source of carbon dioxide emissions, carbon offsetting through purchasing carbon credits, and available capital costs.

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I denna rapport undersöks digitala verktyg som BIM och vilken inverkan de har haft påmiljöcertifieringsarbete. Dessa verktyg undersöks utifrån huruvida tillämpningen avdem i tidigt skede kan ha en positiv inverkan på miljöcertifieringsarbete. Syftet medrapporten är att presentera digitala verktygs tillämpningsområden förmiljöcertifieringsarbete och att redogöra för vilka parametrar som behövs knytas tillBIM-modellen för att nyttja dessa digitala verktyg. Rapporten undersöker vilka fördelarhögdetaljerade BIM-modeller kan ha inom utvalda områden för miljöcertifiering.Informationssamling har triangulerats genom litteraturstudie, datainsamling inomprojekt och intervjuer.Litteraturstudien har inletts med en undersökning av manualer förmiljöcertifieringssystem för att beskriva miljöcertifieringssystemen och för attidentifiera de områden inom systemen som är relevanta för denna rapport. Genomlitteraturstudien har även tillämpningsområden för digitala verktyg undersökts.Datainsamling från projektföretagets databas har visat hur företaget arbetar medBIM-modeller av hög detaljgrad och hur de har gått tillväga för att utnyttja digitalaverktyg. Datainsamling har även givit oss möjligheten att hitta intervjurespondenter somhar arbetat med projektet som undersöks.Resultaten beskriver miljöcertifieringssystem samt viktiga begrepp och digitala verktygsom kan användas vid miljöcertifiering. Resultaten visar även att projektföretaget harsamordnat BIM-filer till att inkludera viktiga parametrar som materialindelning,redovisning av lager i väggar samt korrekt namngivning.Slutsatser som kan dras är att projektföretaget samordnar BIM-modellen till att kunnautnyttja digitala verktyg som är relevanta för miljöcertifiering. Den höga detaljgrad somföreskrivs möjliggör viss BIM-tillämpning för miljöcertifiering. Viktiga parametrar haridentifierats men intervjuer visar att arbetsprocessen i projektering är en viktig faktor föratt BIM-tillämpning ska fungera optimalt.

Recognized as one of the main obstacles to sustainable development, climate change is caused and accelerated by the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from all energy end-user sectors. The building sector alone consumes around 40% of all produced energy worldwide. Reducing this sector’s energy consumption has therefore come into focus as one of the key issues to address in order to meet the climate change challenge.Implementing sustainable construction practices, such as LEED, can significantly reduce the building’s energy and water consumption. Prescribing these practices may however encounter several barriers that can produce other than intended results. Since the beginning of 2008 Dubai mandates a LEED certification for the better part of all new constructions developed within the emirate, nevertheless the success of this regulation is debatable.This thesis identifies the barriers the introduction of the sustainable construction practices in Dubai faced and analyses the reasons why the regulatory and voluntary policy instruments were not effective in dealing with these barriers. Understanding these barriers as well as the merits and weaknesses of the policy instruments will help future attempts to introduce sustainable construction practices.To put the research into context a literature review of relevant printed and internet sources has been performed. In order to further understand the barriers the construction market in Dubai faced, qualitative observational research methods have been used. In addition the input of different key stakeholders with unique knowledge of the construction market was deemed to be necessary. Finally, for purposes of verification, the research relied on quantitative methods using different databases that provide detailed information about construction projects in the United Arab Emirates.The thesis concludes that several barriers, such as a) financial, b) market related, c) behavioral and organizational, d) political and structural, d) technical and e) information barriers hindered the introduction of sustainable construction practices in Dubai. Furthermore the introduced policy mechanisms were not effective in providing clarity on the scope of the policies and environmental goals, failed to provide financial incentives to investors or developers and considered only weak enforcement mechanisms.As a final outcome the thesis presents a number of suggestions that should increase the number of LEED certified projects. These suggestions include changes in the current regulations, the introduction of new policy mechanism such as a building code and major changes to the energy policy such as the correction of the utility prices and the liberalization of the energy market.

Miljöcertifieringssystemet för byggnader, LEED (Leadership in Energy &Environmental Design) lanserades 1998 i USA av USGBC (United States GreenBuilding Council). USGBC är en icke vinstdrivande organisation, vars mål är attbidra till utökat hållbart byggande. Skanskas första byggnad som certifieradesenligt LEED färdigställdes 2001 i den amerikanska delstaten North Carolina. Islutet av februari 2009 offentliggjordes det att Skanska skall införa systemet i sinNordiska organisation.Undersökningen som genomförts handlar om ett av LEED New Constructions sexdelområden, Materials & Resources. Materialhanteringen för ett byggprojekt somSkanska uppfört har analyserats för att avgöra huruvida det skulle kunna erhållapoäng vid en certifiering enligt LEED. Metoden för undersökningen har varitsamtal med materialleverantörer och medarbetare från Skanskas organisation somvarit delaktiga i byggprojektet. Material som använts för undersökningen är LEEDfor New Construction Version 2.2 och projektdokumentation av olika slag. Enligtvår undersökning skulle det byggprojekt som vi analyserat kunnat erhålla tre avtotalt 13 poäng vid en certifiering. / The environmental certification system for buildings, LEED (Leadership inEnergy & Environmental Design) was launched in 1998 by USGBC (UnitedStates Green Building Council). USGBC is a non-profit organization aiming foran expansion of sustainable building practices and education. The first ofSkanska’s buildings to be certified according to LEED standards was finished inNorth Carolina in 2001. By the end of February 2009 Skanska made public thatthe system was to be adopted in their Nordic organization.This study examines one of LEED New Construction’s six subcategories,Materials & Resources. The materials handling of a Skanska construction projecthas been analyzed to determine whether it could receive credits if certifiedaccording to LEED. The method used has been verbal contact with materialsuppliers and Skanska staff involved in the construction project. The theoreticalbasis has mainly been LEED for New Construction Version 2.2 and several kindsof project documentation. It is concluded in this study that the construction projectanalyzed could have received three of a total of 13 credits if certified.

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>An opportunity exists to enhance policy development and application in higher education as it relates to the promotion of sustainable building practices and the application of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) principles. No previous research has been conducted to determine if policy instruments are essential for sustainable building practices, together with the use of LEED^®, for the implementation of institutional green buildings in North America.</p> <p>The primary research goal is to determine if policy is essential for sustainable building practices and the implementation of LEED^® for new construction and major renovations in higher education buildings in Canada and the United States. A specific focus on water conservation and water quality is undertaken related to green buildings. A comprehensive quantitative web-based survey was developed and administered to poll members of APPA (formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators) on their use of policies or other instruments for sustainable development and the specific use of LEED^®applications for new construction and major renovations on their campuses. Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with a subset of the survey respondents to explore and supplement components of the survey and to gain greater insight as to the strategic application of sustainable facility initiatives at their respective institutions. A sustainable building policy template is developed for application to the higher education sector.</p> <p>Using a mixed-methods approach has provided clear evidence that these institutions are contributing to the growth in sustainable practices in higher education and that the facility professionals are contributing to much needed leadership in this field. Institutions that have implemented sustainable/green building policies for their new buildings or major renovations are exhibiting policy compliance and meeting their LEED^® targets, while some institutions that utilize non-policy practices are not complying.</p> <p>This research provides a framework for an institutional sustainable building policy that is suitable for use as a template for senior facility professionals and their specific policy development. This work contributes to a foundation for future research related to sustainable/green building policy development and its application to the higher education sector.</p> <p>A review of survey participants’ water conservation approaches was undertaken with a specific application to a rainwater harvesting-to-potable water system in the Engineering Technology Building (ETB) at McMaster University. <strong></strong>Field research was undertaken on the evaluation of three white roof membranes: modified bitumen finish ply, polyvinylchloride (PVC), and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO); and their effects on the runoff water quality were studied. An analysis of the quality of rainwater runoff was performed from each of these three membranes and compared to Ontario provincial drinking water standards. Analyses were performed to determine if there is a preferred membrane for this function.</p> <p>Results of the water quality testing and analysis indicate that the selected white roof membranes will provide a suitable catchment surface for a green building and/or use in a rainwater collection system. When compared to Ontario’s MOE water quality requirements, no particular roof membrane of the three researched (modified bitumen, PVC and TPO) provided superior water quality results to suggest that either was preferred or recommended as a rainwater harvesting (RWH) catchment surface.</p> <p>This research has revealed that higher education institutions are engaging in water conservation practices across Canada and the United States. Operational challenges are evident, particularly as they relate to waterless urinals. The ETB system that harvests rainwater and provides treatment to potable standards is showing significant promise for future site–based solutions.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Increased human-centric requirements could turn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED) into a sustainable development tool for cities through mitigation of gentrification. Green building rating systems, like LEED, were designed with environmental sustainability in mind. Sustainability holistically however is about preserving the environment, economics, and equity. A scoping literature review confirmed that LEED is used for energy efficiency and greening developments (preserving the environment). However, research also revealed that LEED has potential to mitigate gentrification (preserving economics and equity) if credits were adjusted, or the program was paired with policy, to have increased focus on affordability, maintaining local culture, and preventing resident displacement. Further conclusions based on literature could not be made due to a gap in research surrounding LEED programs and gentrification. Gentrification is a contemporary event that occurs from any type of land development; but more quantitative research surrounding gentrification-related variables could help guide LEED and policies towards what metrics would likely help reduce resident displacement. A longitudinal case study of Arlington County, Virginia paired with spatial modeling was performed with census-level data. The results demonstrated how LEED impacts onto gentrification-related variables could be measured. Accompanying census-level data with localized surveys in future studies could then provide more context to how gentrification impacts specific neighborhoods. This research establishes a methodological foundation for future studies to analyze these complex relationships between third-party green certification programs and gentrification. The code and related datasets for this study were uploaded to the Open Science Framework (OSF) (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/G3HCV) to help foster those next steps for not just other researchers in this space, but also localities. Localities, which currently utilize LEED and related programs in their development policies, could adapt this framework to help establish social and economic assistance programs to aid in making a more sustainable environment for residents without adjusting LEED itself. / Master of Science / The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED) was developed to help the environment, but with some changes it may also be used to try and reduce gentrification in cities. Gentrification is a contemporary event that occurs from any type of land development. Gentrification is when people with lower-than-average incomes can no longer afford to live in an area and are replaced by those with significantly higher incomes. The push out of these areas comes in many forms, but most commonly is seen as a steep rise in rent increases. Existing research had not been able to easily measure gentrification, making it difficult to tell what causes it aside from developing areas; but more research into LEED may have shed some light on how cities can develop in a more people-centric way. LEED, and similar green building certifications, are used as guidelines for developing land (e.g., homes, offices, schools, factories) to be more environmentally friendly. However, just because a project is green, doesn't mean that it's sustainable or immune from common problems that can arise from land development projects – such as gentrification. With adjustments, the LEED program could achieve more sustainable metrics which could help mitigate resultant gentrification. In the first stage of this research, a broader selection of previously published research was investigated to understand the relationship between LEED-certified green infrastructure and gentrification. Through this investigation, the gap in the research was found to be larger than anticipated. The gap also points out how LEED would need to be adjusted or paired with policy changes to reach sustainability. However, how can we tell what changes need to be made? This research created models for Arlington County, Virginia that demonstrated how LEED impacts on gentrification-related variables could be studied; this is something that will need to be investigated further prior to informing policy as it is unique to each location. Focusing on gentrification-related variables by pairing census-level data with localized surveys would enable a broader understanding of the impact of a LEED project on the community in which it's located. This deeper dive would then assist in creating that policy for Arlington County to pair with LEED in efforts to create sustainable developments. Each city is unique in how they grow, which is why it is important that we figure out how these cities gentrify and create policies tailored to each of them. This research establishes a methodological foundation for future studies in other localities, with the code and datasets being publicly available on the Open Science Framework (OSF) (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/G3HCV). OSF provides researchers a platform to continue developing the methods analyzing these complex relationships between third-party green certification programs and gentrification, whether it be in a small town or a larger city. Localities, which utilize LEED and related programs in their development policies, could establish social and economic assistance programs to aid in making a more sustainable environment for residents without adjusting LEED itself.

The direct growth of graphene by scalable methods on magnetic insulators is important for industrial development of graphene-based spintronic devices, and a route towards substrate-induced spin polarization in graphene without spin injection. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction LEED, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) demonstrate the growth of Co3O4(111) and CoO(111) to thicknesses greater than 100 Å on Ru(0001) surfaces, by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The results obtained show that the formation of the different cobalt oxide phases is O2 partial pressure dependent under same temperature and vacuum conditions and that the films are stoichiometric. Electrical I-V measurement of the Co3O4(111) show characteristic hysteresis indicative of resistive switching and thus suitable for advanced device applications. In addition, the growth of Co0.5Fe0.5O(111) was also achieved by MBE and these films were observed to be OH-stabilized. C MBE yielded azimuthally oriented few layer graphene on the OH-terminated CoO(111), Co0.5Fe0.5O(111) and Co3O4(111). AES confirms the growth of (111)-ordered sp2 C layers. EELS data demonstrate significant graphene-to-oxide charge transfer with Raman spectroscopy showing the formation of a graphene-oxide buffer layer, in excellent agreement with previous theoretical predictions. XPS data show the formation of C-O covalent bonding between the oxide layer and the first monolayer (ML) of C. LEED data reveal that the graphene overlayers on all substrates exhibit C3V. The reduction of graphene symmetry to C3V – correlated with C-O bond formation – enables spin-orbit coupling in graphene. Consequences may include a significant band gap and room temperature spin Hall effect – important for spintronic device applications. The results suggest a general pattern of graphene/graphene oxide growth and symmetry lowering for graphene formation on the (111) surfaces of rocksalt-structured oxides.