Architects, builders and preservationists met in Pittsburgh to discuss ways to get federal guidelines for historic structures to play nice with green building principles.
"Many old structures might be restored and preserved in accordance with federal historic standards. And new buildings can be constructed to adhere to increasingly popular "green building" norms.
But melding those principles is an increasingly intriguing concept for architects and preservationists, one that has been done in Pittsburgh but remains challenging because of conflicting and, in some cases, nonexistent criteria."
" 'It's not easy to certify a historic building' as a green structure, said Cathy McCollom, program director at the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, which with the South Side-based Green Building Alliance organized the summit. 'But what's more green than using an existing structure? You don't fill a landfill by throwing away brick and wood.' "
FULL STORY: Preservation, 'green building' hit historic wall

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
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