PLANYC 2030: New York City Green Building Competition

The Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainability, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 are co-sponsors of the New York City Green Building Competition. Previously co-sponsored by the Office of Environmental Coordination in 2004 and 2006, this competition has attracted professionals and students from across the nation to present their innovative green building design projects and ideas for New York City. As a pre-eminent urban center, the City of New York will become a showcase for the world’s green buildings.

The purpose of this competition is to establish New York City as the leader in America’s green building movement by: 1) showcasing how green building principles can be incorporated into new and existing New York City building stock; 2) encouraging the development of new ideas in green building design by providing a venue for those people dedicated to green building principles to share their experiences; and 3) uncovering and highlighting the impediments to green building in New York City so that government can better understand the changes needed to facilitate the proliferation of green buildings.

The Vision: High-Performance Design

We envision building green as the standard practice in construction, demolition and rehabilitation projects across the nation with New York City setting the stage. In a city like New York, where design is fundamental, it is essential to continue to encourage projects that creatively achieve both design and environmental excellence.

On October 3, 2005, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg enacted Local Law 86, the Green Buildings Law, which mandates the use of green building standards in the construction and renovation of City-owned and City-funded buildings. The law takes effect on January 1, 2007 and will affect capital projects with specific requirements based on project type and cost . Meeting varying levels of LEED green building certification (or equivalent), the reduction of energy costs and water consumption are all requirements of the law.

Mayor Bloomberg stated that, “(H)istory will judge us kindly if we pay attention to sustainable kinds of development.” From the homes we live and raise our families in, to our work places, we can create a living legacy. By building green, New York City can promote a healthy city for generations to come.

2008 Competition Information