South Florida Lagging When it Comes to Environmentally Conscious Development

It’s not easy being green.

The South Florida housing market exemplifies this point. Sure, constructing buildings that are friendly to the environment costs more. It requires new rules, unusual materials, and a greater amount of effort all around. But is that really a reason not to do it?

That’s the question posed by Miami Herald business editor Lisa Gibbs. For a region where real estate has been so prolific, now and in housing booms past, it’s surprising — and disappointing — that the community is so far behind the trend of eco-conscious development.

Part of the reason going green has taken so long is the lack of government incentives. Some of our major governments — Broward and Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami– are taking measures that will require more green buildings. Positive steps, to be sure.

But at the same time, Seattle adopted a sustainable building policy back in 2000. In Florida, Gainesville created green incentives in 2003, while over on the other side of Alligator Alley, Southwest Florida commenced a green building program in 1999 in Sarasota.

Out of the more than 200 business members of the Florida Green Building Coalition, only seven — seven! — are from Miami-Dade and Broward, the state’s most populous counties. Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami Beach are the only local government members.

Government will need to lead this trend. Florida mortgage costs will deter people from buying homes, yes, but if we are able to reduce the energy burden on the entire region, that will take us a very long way.

Clearly, another reason why we’re behind is that commercial real estate owners and tenants have not demanded these innovations. We can do better.