Codes + Standards Congress passes tax credits for solar, wind power for another five years The extension is expected to add an extra 20 gigawatts of solar power.
Codes + Standards AIA design trends survey: Access to public transportation, walkable neighborhoods in demand The AIA said this indicates homeowners are "increasingly favoring amenities and features that offer residents a sense of community."
Codes + Standards Vancouver encourages construction of ‘laneway’ small homes to create affordable housing These structures make housing more affordable in a place where the base price for a single-family home now tops one million dollars.
Codes + Standards Codes should be updated to reflect lessons learned from recent extreme weather events One standard says EPSS (emergency power supply system) equipment should be located above known previous flooding elevations where possible.
Codes + Standards San Francisco rejects ‘Airbnb’ law Prop F would have limited the number of nights of short-term rental and required individual hosts to submit quarterly reports.
Codes + Standards Changing Canada’s codes to require wider stair treads would save lives, study says The nation averages one death per day from falls down stairs. The National Building Code of Canada prescribes stair tread width at a minimum of 21 centimeters, or 8 1/4 inches.
Codes + Standards Detroit plans massive effort to convert vacant properties to green spaces The city will plant tens of thousands of trees in two, quarter-square-mile vacant city spaces.
Codes + Standards Property owners and developers challenge FEMA floodplain maps In New York City, the new maps place 80% more homes and businesses in flood zones than the previous set of maps.
Codes + Standards Tighter credit regulations mean current housing boom is not a bubble While nonbank lender-originated mortgages may make up a greater share of mortgages today household leverage is declining
Codes + Standards Handbook for design, construction, maintenance of permeable pavements released Fact sheets and checklists help to successfully incorporate permeable pavement systems into design projects