Daylighting, or bringing natural light into a space through windows and skylights, can reduce as much as one-third of a building’s total energy costs. Occupants of daylit buildings report increased productivity and an improved sense of well being. One study even found that skylights may increase sales by as much as 40 percent in commercial facilities. Credit: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Community and Economic Development: Thriving and Prosperous Urban Environments

The City of Denver aims to cultivate a thriving local environment that stimulates balanced growth through job creation, business assistance, development of a skilled workforce, neighborhood redevelopment and housing options.

This growth cannot come at the expense of the needs of future residents, however. Being a sustainable city means that members of our community are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential today without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

A city that does not consider how its actions will affect future residents is one that will certainly perish, but a city that adopts sustainable practices builds a foundation for a stronger economy today and retains a long-term advantage.

Creating new jobs in new markets is a key economic factor to being a competitive city. New technologies are now making integrated approaches to sustainable development economically viable. Investing in green industries will lead to economic growth while at the same time reducing pressures on the environment and introducing new employment and training opportunities.

Through Greenprint Denver, a growing network of businesses, universities, nonprofits and government agencies is forming to assist one another with strategies to pursue a regional interest in sustainable development, to explore increased opportunities within the community, and to identify opportunities in national and international markets where green businesses are emerging as the new standard.

Constructing green-built facilities and housing is an ideal way to realize lasting economic benefits. Green details can produce savings for property owners and tenants alike. By emphasizing cleaner air, natural light and other amenities, green buildings can cut tenant or employee turnover and absenteeism, and reduce overhead costs for heating, cooling, electricity and lighting.

Green buildings can command the highest market sale and rent prices, although this means that they are often out of reach of low income residents. Therefore, the city is developing energy efficiency standards and incentives for new affordable housing, and, through a
partnership with Xcel Energy, including permanent efficiency upgrades as part of its LEAP program to assist low income residents with energy bills.

Facilitating the growth of green industry is a wise choice for our community, and Greenprint Denver is the roadmap to follow as we build a sustainable city that promises a healthy, culturally vibrant community with economic opportunity for everyone – now, and in the
future.