Big Data could have major implications for sustainable development

Big data — the collection of large and complex data sets — can transform building construction and management, investment, leasing and even government policy, according to scholars and experts on sustainable real estate. [more]

As new gauges measuring energy consumption enter the market, the 10-year-old LEED ranking system — which reflects a building’s environmental performance — is coming under fire, according to Crain’s. This year, in a first for New York, owners of 25,000 commercial properties must report their buildings’ energy use to the city, with the data to be compiled into publicly posted report cards. But concerns from architects and landlords that LEED doesn’t measure energy use and costs have spurred new rating systems that could challenge the status quo…. [more]