Nearly fifty years ago, the committee that later evolved into the EPA named Chattanooga as America's most polluted city, in terms of air quality. Since that day conservationists, entrepreneurs and community groups have jointed together to clean up many parts of our city. From electric buses to greenways, from the Waterfront to sustainability-minded small businesses. But construction and renovation have lagged behind this progress, as well as behind building across the US and around the world.

Today's design and building best practices can do away with unnecessary waste and improve performance. Better tools - such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and green design materials and resources - bring practical benefits. To owners, developers, and occupants.

We don't need a sharp dividing line between urban park space (eco-beneficial) and buildings (eco-harmful). We want to change the way that we look at construction, in Chattanooga. We want buildings that are green|spaces.

green|spaces is a two-part initiative

• incentive funding for commercial projects to be built green, certified sustainable, and include high profile green features
• a resource center for commercial and residential projects, showcasing the best eco-friendly materials and methods.

Supporters

River City Company
The Lyndhurst Foundation
The Benwood Foundation

partnerships

City of Chattanooga
UTC Department of Interior Design and Environmental Science