This research investigates environmentally friendly buildings and the incentives or disincentives
behind their construction. More specifically,...
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This research investigates environmentally friendly buildings and the incentives or disincentives
behind their construction. More specifically, this paper describes the incentives to build LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) projects. Current research displays that LEED
buildings generate higher rents and sales price. LEED certification also helps to lower building
life-cycle costs meaning lower expenditures for utilities and maintenance. This raises two
fundamental questions: Is there incentive to build LEED certified buildings? If so, when and
where? Are consumers willing to pay extra to live or work in a LEED certified building?
Interviews, case studies, archival research, and GIS mapping are tools used in this research to
draw conclusions about the incentives and disincentives behind building LEED certified. The
comparison of two different marketplaces and the professional viewpoints included show how
LEED can be deterring for a developer as well as where and how these projects can be
