Green Multimedia

The National Building Museum has an extensive library of audio and video recordings that focus on green issues within the built environment.  Topics such as sustainability and green building are discussed in lectures and panels featuring celebrated "green" architects and other industry leaders. Lectures, panel discussions, and instructional videos are just a few examples of the green multimedia available. New content is added regularly so be sure to check back often to see what's new! Here are the most recent additions to the Museum's green multimedia:

Video and Audio on Sustainability Issues

Along the Waterfronts - Part 1, Uwe Brandes D.C. Builds June 24, 2013 Washington, D.C. was built on the banks of two rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia, yet through industrial use, pollution, and neglect, the city has generally turned its back on its waterfronts. Panelists discuss how the D.C. region is moving from indifference to engagement with its rivers and share what’s needed to protect these valuable natural resources while providing places to live, work, and play along their banks. Watch/Listen.

Along the Waterfronts - Part 2, Panel Discussion D.C. Builds June 24, 2013 Watch/Listen.

Smart, Green, and Connected Smart Growth April 17, 2013 How do designers measure success in urban revitalization projects? Landscape architect Kim Mathews, RLA, ASLA, principal of Mathews Nielsen, discusses resiliency and renewal through the lens of her firm’s Cinderella projects on New York City’s urban edge. Watch/Listen.

Rethinking Urban Rivers in an Age of Climate Change Smart Growth March 21, 2013 John R. Wennersten, environmental policy writer, Smithsonian consultant on urban waterways, and author of Global Thirst: Water and Society in the 21st Century, discusses how rivers fit into local and global public policy. Watch/Listen.

Original Green Smart Growth November 14, 2012 Steve Mouzon, principal of Mouzon Design, presents the concept of Original Green, emphasizing sustainable places that are nourishable, accessible, and serviceable, with buildings that are durable, flexible, and frugal. Watch/Listen.

Tactical Urbanism Smart Growth October 11, 2012 Cities and citizens are increasingly using short-term action to spur long-term revitalization. Mike Lydon, primary author of Tactical Urbanism Volumes 1 and 2, discusses chair bombing, site-previtalization, depaving, open streets, intersection repair, and numerous other placemaking tactics. Watch/Listen.

Making Smart Growth Compelling Smart Growth September 19, 2012 Your idea could save civilization! You know it, but it’s not going to happen unless you can reach as many people as possible. Filmmakers John Paget and Dr. Chris Elisara explore the art of compelling storytelling through the lens of their award-winning films. Watch/Listen.

The Suburban Office: Understanding the Past to Redesign the Future Smart Growth June 19, 2012 Louise Mozingo, author of Pastoral Capitalism: A History of Suburban Corporate Landscapes, presents a history of an overlooked archetype of sprawl, the suburban office, and discusses ideas for and challenges of redesigning work-places for a post peak oil metropolis. Watch/Listen.

Intelligent Cities Smart Growth May 1, 2012 How do we make decisions about where to live, how to get around, and what places we value? Susan Piedmont-Palladino, National Building Museum curator, presents the Museum’s Intelligent Cities initiative, which explores how data and information technology impact the way cities look, feel, and function. Watch/Listen.

Sustainable Landscapes Smart Growth April 9, 2012 Neil Weinstein, executive director of the Low Impact Development Center, presents green infrastructure, rain gardens, and more that can help improve storm water management, the environment, and community aesthetics. Watch/Listen.

LEED® 2012 Building in the 21st Century April 5, 2012 Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED®, U.S. Green Building Council, offers insight into the decisions behind the changes in LEED® and discusses how LEED® 2012 will raise the bar to remain a leadership tool. Watch/Listen.

Sustainability and the EPA Smart Growth March 12, 2012 Bicky Corman, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deputy associate administrator for the Office of Policy, discusses proposed recommendations for incorporating sustainability into the EPA’s principles and decision-making, including the agency’s approach to smart growth. Watch/Listen.

Human Transit Smart Growth February 9, 2012 Jarrett Walker, author of Human Transit, outlines the fundamental geometry of transit that shapes successful systems, the process for fitting technology to a particular community, and the local choices that lead to transit-friendly development. A book signing follows the program. Watch/Listen.

Tysons Corner: A Smart Growth Model?!? - Part 2, Matt Ladd D.C. Builds January 25, 2012 Tysons Corner, Virginia, is in the process of reinventing itself into a walkable, sustainable urban center. The Tysons Corner Task Force has recommended compact development near four planned Metro stations, mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhoods, green building requirements, major reductions in stormwater runoff, affordable and workforce housing, and a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly street design to reduce traffic. Panelists discuss what it will take to implement these recommendations. Watch/Listen.

Tysons Corner: A Smart Growth Model?!? - Part 3, David Haresign D.C. Builds January 25, 2012 Tysons Corner, Virginia, is in the process of reinventing itself into a walkable, sustainable urban center. The Tysons Corner Task Force has recommended compact development near four planned Metro stations, mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhoods, green building requirements, major reductions in stormwater runoff, affordable and workforce housing, and a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly street design to reduce traffic. Panelists discuss what it will take to implement these recommendations. Watch/Listen.

Tysons Corner: A Smart Growth Model?!? - Part 5, Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A D.C. Builds January 25, 2012 Tysons Corner, Virginia, is in the process of reinventing itself into a walkable, sustainable urban center. The Tysons Corner Task Force has recommended compact development near four planned Metro stations, mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhoods, green building requirements, major reductions in stormwater runoff, affordable and workforce housing, and a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly street design to reduce traffic. Panelists discuss what it will take to implement these recommendations. Watch/Listen.

Tysons Corner: A Smart Growth Model?!? - Part 1, Introduction D.C. Builds January 25, 2012 Tysons Corner, Virginia, is in the process of reinventing itself into a walkable, sustainable urban center. The Tysons Corner Task Force has recommended compact development near four planned Metro stations, mixed-use residential and commercial neighborhoods, green building requirements, major reductions in stormwater runoff, affordable and workforce housing, and a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly street design to reduce traffic. Panelists discuss what it will take to implement these recommendations. Watch/Listen.

Essential Zoning Code Fixes Smart Growth November 10, 2011 Environmental Protection Agency policy analyst Kevin Nelson, AICP, discusses 11 essential fixes that local governments can make to their codes to achieve smart growth outcomes. Watch/Listen.

Ideas That Matter: The Legacy of Jane Jacobs Smart Growth October 11, 2011 Urban scholar Mary Rowe discusses the key tenets of Jane Jacobs’s work and how her ideas have risen to prominence in urban planning and design, ecological economics, and other fields. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 2, Dr. Raphael Bostic October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 6, Rolf Pendall October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 1, Introduction October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 3, Anita Hairston October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 4, Paul Brophy October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 7, Panel Discussion October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 8, Q&A October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Urban Sustainability Initiatives: Challenges and Opportunities - Part 5, Catherine Ross October 4, 2011 How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, senior associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture; and Paul Brophy, senior fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, co-director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Making a Community Energy Plan Smart Growth September 27, 2011 With a void of federal guidance, local governments are tackling energy and greenhouse gas challenges directly. Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette outlines Arlington’s transformative Community Energy Plan, which builds on the county’s smart growth legacy to increase its economic competitiveness, energy supply security, and environmental sustainability. Watch/Listen.

Active Design Joins the Fight Against Obesity Smart Growth June 16, 2011 Active Design enlists our built environment, and those who design it, in the struggle against the obesity epidemic and related health problems. Jack L. Robbins, project architect and senior urban designer at Perkins + Will, outlines how architects and planners can help America shed pounds and save lives. Watch/Listen.

Regenerative Urbanism Smart Growth May 24, 2011 Daniel Kaplan, AIA, LEED AP, senior partner at FXFOWLE, presents a framework for architecture and urbanism that breathes new life into the forgotten spaces of cities. Watch/Listen.

Build It and They Will Ride: Part 2, Jim Sebastian D.C. Builds May 11, 2011 A panel of experts discusses future plans for Washington, D.C.’s bicycle infrastructure as well as potential challenges for implementation. Watch/Listen.

Build It and They Will Ride: Part 4, Shane Farthing D.C. Builds May 11, 2011 A panel of experts discusses future plans for Washington, D.C.’s bicycle infrastructure as well as potential challenges for implementation. Watch/Listen.

Build It and They Will Ride: Part 1, Introduction D.C. Builds May 11, 2011 A panel of experts discusses future plans for Washington, D.C.’s bicycle infrastructure as well as potential challenges for implementation. Watch/Listen.

Build It and They Will Ride: Part 5, Panel Discussion D.C. Builds May 11, 2011 A panel of experts discusses future plans for Washington, D.C.’s bicycle infrastructure as well as potential challenges for implementation. Watch/Listen.

Build It and They Will Ride: Part 3, Jennifer Toole D.C. Builds May 11, 2011 A panel of experts discusses future plans for Washington, D.C.’s bicycle infrastructure as well as potential challenges for implementation. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Conclusions and Recommendations Community in the Aftermath April 26, 2011 Developers, policy makers, and housing researchers discuss the successes and lessons learned from the Alternative Housing Pilot Program (AHPP) projects and propose next steps for creative post-disaster housing solutions. Watch/Listen.

The Role of Land Trusts Smart Growth April 20, 2011 Chris Miller, president, Piedmont Environmental Council, discusses how land trusts guide growth and conserve historic and environmentally critical landscapes for communities. Watch/Listen.

For the Greener Good: Passive House For the Greener Good April 18, 2011 What if the only heat for your home was the occupants’ body warmth? These tightly sealed buildings are being constructed across Europe. Is this the future of American housing? Matt Belcher, Belcher Homes, Verdatek Solutions, LLC. Robert Ivy, executive vice president and CEO, American Institute of Architects (moderator) Richard King, director, Solar Decathlon, U.S. Department of Energy Katrin Klingenberg, executive director, Passive House Institute The "For the Greener Good" lecture series was presented by The Home Depot Foundation Watch/Listen.

Jan Gehl Charles H. Atherton Memorial Lecture April 7, 2011 Danish architect, planner, and author Jan Gehl discusses his work making cities across the U.S. more walkable, bikeable, and sustainable and shares his thoughts on how to make a greener capital city. Watch/Listen.

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities: Part 1, Anna Read Smart Growth March 24, 2011 Many rural communities are facing challenges, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and loss of working lands. Anna Read, of the International City/County Management Association, and Stephanie Bertaina, Environmental Protection Agency, present strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving rural character. Watch/Listen.

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities - Part 1: Anna Read Smart Growth March 24, 2011 Many rural communities are facing challenges, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and loss of working lands. Anna Read, of the International City/County Management Association, and Stephanie Bertaina, Environmental Protection Agency, present strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving rural character. Watch/Listen.

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities: Part 2, Stephanie Bertaina Smart Growth March 24, 2011 Anna Read of the International City/County Management Association and Stephanie Bertaina of the Environmental Protection Agency present strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving rural character. Watch/Listen.

For the Greener Good: Historic Preservation Vs. Sustainability? For the Greener Good March 24, 2011 The greenest buildings are the ones that are already built. But how does a community balance the historic fabric of vernacular architecture with greener buildings? Can’t we have both? A discussion with: Maria Casarella, AIA, Cunningham | Quill Architects; Anna Dyson, director, Center for Architecture Science & Ecology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute & Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; Martin Moeller, senior vice president, National Building Museum (moderator), Brendan Owens, Vice President LEED Technical Development, U.S. Green Building Council; Eleni Reed, Chief Greening Officer, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration Watch/Listen.

Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities - Part 2: Stephanie Bertaina Smart Growth March 24, 2011 Many rural communities are facing challenges, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and loss of working lands. Anna Read, of the International City/County Management Association, and Stephanie Bertaina, Environmental Protection Agency, present strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving rural character. Watch/Listen.

Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities Smart Growth February 14, 2011 How can the design of cities address the challenge of climate change? Patrick Condon, author of Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities, presents simple guidelines for community design that can help cities flourish in the post-carbon world. Watch/Listen.

2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement - Part 1: Introduction Smart Growth December 1, 2010 The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Building Museum present the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, which recognizes communities that use the principles of smart growth to create better places. Watch/Listen.

2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement - Part 2: Awards Ceremony Smart Growth December 1, 2010 The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Building Museum present the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, which recognizes communities that use the principles of smart growth to create better places. Watch/Listen.

2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement - Part 3: Panel Disscussion Smart Growth December 1, 2010 The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Building Museum present the 2010 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, which recognizes communities that use the principles of smart growth to create better places. Watch/Listen.

Intelligent Cities: The Neighborhood November 22, 2010 Scott Kratz, the National Building Museum's vice president for education, asks what you like best about your neighborhood. Watch/Listen.

Sustainability: Beyond LEED Building in the 21st Century November 10, 2010 Dr. Raj Barr-Kumar, FAIA, RIBA, former president of the American Institute of Architects and author of Sustainable Design Strategies, explores how a ‘common sense’ context of building design can create a partnership between ecology and building technology. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 3: David Godschalk, FAICP October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium will explore both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 6: Nancy Stremple October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium will explore both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 7: Panel Discussion October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium will explore both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 5: Timothy Beatley October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium will explore both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 1: Introduction October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium explores both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 2: Paul Farmer October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium explores both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

2010 AICP National Symposium: Sustaining Places: Comprehensive Planning for the Future - Part 4: Armando Carbonell, AICP October 27, 2010 The Sustaining Places Initiative is a multi-year, multi-faceted program to define the role of planning and the comprehensive plan in addressing all human settlement issues related to sustainability, from rural areas and small towns to cities and metropolitan regions. This year's symposium will explore both the role and the key elements of the comprehensive plan — the leading policy document and tool to help communities of all sizes achieve sustainability. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 6 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 5 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 4 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 1 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 3 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

The Alternative Housing Pilot Program: Post-Disaster Housing Solutions, Pt. 2 Community in the Aftermath October 26, 2010 Joel Pirrone, FEMA, outlines the Joint Housing Solutions Group, which evaluates housing vendors for use in future disasters. Cynthia Barton, New York City Office of Emergency Management, presents disaster housing options for urban environments. Community in the Aftermath is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Emergency Managment Agency in partnership with the National Building Museum. Watch/Listen.

Clean, Green, and Mobile: Designing the GreenMobile® Home Unit Building in the 21st Century October 20, 2010 Michael Berk, director of the Mississippi State University School of Architecture and developer of the GreenMobile® home unit, discussed how this federally-funded housing prototype can replace the traditional mobile home. The GreenMobile®, which includes a variety of energy-efficient technologies, ranked number one in FEMA’s Alternative Housing Pilot Program in 2007. Watch/Listen.

Intelligent Cities: The Home October 4, 2010 Scott Kratz, the National Building Museum's vice president for education, asks what you think the home will look like in 2025 Watch/Listen.

2010 Henry C. Turner Prize: Engineers Without Borders Henry C. Turner Prize September 21, 2010 The National Building Museum has selected Engineers Without Borders-USA to receive its prestigious Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology for its notable work connecting engineering students with international development projects. Presenters will share EWB-USA’s efforts to provide clean water, sustainable energy, and needed infrastructure to communities across the world while also instilling a sense of global responsibility in the next generation of engineers. Watch/Listen.

The Story of Green Building September 20, 2010 Sustainable design requires a team approach. This includes architects, construction crew, engineers, developers and an engaged client. Over the last 12 months, staff at the National Building Museum documented a “green team” that created PNC Place, a building one block away from the White House that is aiming for Platinum LEED certification. Join curator Susan Piedmont-Palladino as she interviews a cast of characters that made this sustainable idea a reality. Watch/Listen.

Intelligent Cities: Jan Gehl on the Neighborhood September 16, 2010 Danish urbanist and author Jan Gehl describes the value of walkable and bike-able neighborhoods. Watch/Listen.

Moving to Opportunity - Part 1 - Introduction July 26, 2010 Introduction to the symposium Moving to Opportunity: The Story of an American Experiment to Fight Ghetto Poverty. Speakers included Scott Kratz, National Building Museum; Diana Lind, Next American City; Susan Wachter, University of Pennsylvania; and Xavier Briggs, MIT. This program was presented by the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships, the Penn Institute for Urban Research, and Next American City magazine. Watch/Listen.

From Grey Street to Green Street: Redefining the American Main Street for an Era of Sustainability Smart Growth July 8, 2010 Hear how the tiny, working-class town of Edmonston, Maryland, is building one of the greenest streets on the east coast, helping to keep pollutants out of the nearby Anacostia River. Mayor Adam Ortiz discusses the project and shares plans to replicate the design in other communities. Watch/Listen.

On Exhibit: A Selection of Exhibitions from 1980-2010 June 30, 2010 Over the past 30 years, the National Building Museum has displayed more than 200 exhibitions. View the slideshow for an exploration of 40 of the Museum's outstanding home-grown exhibitions from 1980 through 2010. Watch/Listen.

The Future of Parking: Part 4 - Gabe Klein June 23, 2010 Gabe Klein, Director, District Department of Transportation outlines Washington, DC's innovative parking designs and policies. Watch/Listen.

The Future of Parking: Part 5 - Panel Discussion June 23, 2010 James O'Connor, AIA, Principal, Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, Lisa Delplace, CEO, Oehme Van Sweden Landscape Architects and Gabe Klein, Director, District Department of Transportation discuss plans for green parking lots and structures and new parking technology. Moderated by Robert Thomson, The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock. Watch/Listen.

The Future of Parking: Part 2 - James O'Connor June 23, 2010 Architect James O'Connor discusses his design of the Santa Monica Civic Center parking structure, the first LEED certified parkig structure in the country. Watch/Listen.

The Future of Parking: Part 3 - Lisa Delplace June 23, 2010 Lisa Delplace, ASLA, CEO of Oehme Van Sweden Landscape Architects discusses how landscape architecture produces green parking lots and structures. Watch/Listen.

Building Materials and Sustainable Design Building in the 21st Century June 22, 2010 Peter Doo, AIA, LEED AP, examines the potential for building materials to contribute to sustainable design strategies, including passive solar heating and cooling. Learn more about how the materials used in rain screens, solar shades, and more can deliver sustainable solutions through design. Watch/Listen.

Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities Smart Growth June 9, 2010 For many years urban parks across the U.S. sank into decay and disuse. However, as cities have begun to rebound, investment in these valuable facilities has increased. Peter Harnik, director, Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land, presents the newest ideas for cities to add much-needed parkland. Watch/Listen.

Preparing for the Big One: Assessing American Building Codes June 8, 2010 The 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile reinforced the importance of building codes. Are regions in the United States just as vulnerable to a catastrophic earthquake? David Applegate, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards at the U.S. Geological Survey; Michael J. Armstrong, Senior Vice President, International Code Council; and Michael Mahoney, Geophysicist, Federal Emergency Management Agency discuss the state of seismic building codes around the country. Tom Ichniowski, DC Bureau Chief for Engineering News-Record, moderates. Watch/Listen.

The Architecture of Diplomacy - Part 5: A United States Perspective June 4, 2010 Architect James Timberlake, FAIA, a founding principal of KieranTimberlake, discusses the firm's design for the new U.S.Embassy in London. Watch/Listen.

The Architecture of Diplomacy - Part 4: A Danish Perspective June 4, 2010 Architect Louis Becker, principal partner of the architecture firm Hening Larsen Architects, provides a Danish perspective on representing Danish values abroad through architecture. Watch/Listen.

The Architectue of Diplomacy - Part 3: A Nation of Architecture June 4, 2010 Building an embassy challenges a nation to reflect on how it wants to be perceived abroad, and how it perceives itself. Kent Martinussen, Director, Danish Architecture Center, reflects on his country's approach to diplomatic architecture. Watch/Listen.

Parking is Not Free May 27, 2010 Donald Shoup, professor of Urban Planning at UCLA and author of The High Cost of Free Parking, puts parking garages in the context of parking policies in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and shows how we can design our cities for people, not cars. Watch/Listen.

Climate Change and the Developing World Smart Growth May 26, 2010 Marianne Fay, chief economist of the World Bank’s Sustainable Development Network and co-director of the Development Report, relates the struggle to identify appropriate and cost-effective means to mitigate and plan for climate change in developing countries. Watch/Listen.

Building the Green Economy: Drexel Smart House and University Research in Sustainable Systems Building in the 21st Century May 24, 2010 Drexel University professor Eugenia Victoria Ellis discussed the student-led Drexel Smart House (DSH). Ellis is a co-director of the Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative and the faculty advisor for the DSH, a multidisciplinary student organization committed to researching and inventing alternative energy systems and smart technologies for residential living. Watch/Listen.

A Salute to Civic Innovators Honor Award May 11, 2010 The National Building Museum pays tribute to the Civic Innovators who received its 2010 Honor Award: interdisciplinary design firm, Perkins+Will, the founders of New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village—Harry Connick, Jr., Branford Marsalis, Anne Marie Wilkins, and Jim Pate, and the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. These civic innovators are being honored for their commitment to community and cultural development, education, and sustainable practice, which is contributing to the reinvention of our built environment and improving our civic experience. Watch/Listen.

Spotlight on Design: Pugh + Scarpa Spotlight on Design May 5, 2010 Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, one of the founding principals of Santa Monica-based Pugh + Scarpa Architects, discusses the firm’s sustainable and socially progressive work. The firm was the recipient of the American Institute of Architects 2010 Architecture Firm Award and two of the firm’s projects were named AIA “Top Ten Green” buildings. Watch/Listen.

The Smart Growth Manual May 4, 2010 Everyone is calling for smart growth... but what exactly is it? Urban planner Jeff Speck attempts to provide a quick, useful, and entertaining answer in this lecture celebrating his new book, The Smart Growth Manual, co-authored with Andrés Duany. Watch/Listen.

Sustainable Schools For the Greener Good April 29, 2010 Listen to Dr. Howard Frumkin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Steve Turckes, Perkins+Will; and Glenn Cummings , Department of Education discuss ideas for building primary schools that help our children improve physically and academically. The program was moderated by NPR's Joanne Silberner. Watch/Listen.

A Modernist Suburb April 28, 2010 Architect John Burns, FAIA, and landscape architect Dennis Carmichael, FASLA, discuss the history, growth, and influence of Hollin Hills, a Modernist suburban development in Northern Virginia built in the middle of the last century. National Building Museum curator Chrysanthe Broikos moderates. Watch/Listen.

Next Generation Luminaries: Solid-State Lighting Design Competition Building in the 21st Century April 7, 2010 Ruth Taylor, Program Manager, Energy and Environment Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will discuss the Next Generation Luminaries Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Design Competition: the first of its kind to encourage and recognize high-quality, energy-efficient SSL luminaries ready for commercial specification. Watch/Listen.

Spotlight on Design: Mia Lehrer Associates Spotlight on Design April 6, 2010 Landscape planner Mia Lehrer, FASLA, founding partner of Los Angeles-based Mia Lehrer + Associates discusses the power of landscape to both enhance the livability of a city and heal the environment. Lehrer presented the firm’s work, including the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan, and the Orange County Great Park. Watch/Listen.

Analyzing the Data: Smart Growth Performance in a Challenging Market Smart Growth April 5, 2010 Are smart growth projects economically competitive against more traditional forms of development? Laura Cole, vice president, Robert Charles Lesser & Co, unveils national research that highlights the performance of smart growth projects and ranks consumers’ green building product preferences. Watch/Listen.

Maryland's Smart Growth Experience: Assessing the Impact Smart Growth March 18, 2010 Gerrit Knaap, director of The University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, describes the challenge of making Maryland’s innovative smart growth policy a state-wide reality. Watch/Listen.

Greening the Supply Chain For the Greener Good March 11, 2010 How can you tell if a piece of lumber, CFL light bulb or bamboo flooring is really “green?” And does “green” mean environmentally friendly, a lower carbon footprint, or manufactured in a socially responsible manner? A discussion with: Gwen Davidow, Director, Corporate Programs, World Environment Center; Kirsten Richie, Director of Sustainability, Gensler; Nadav Malin, President, BuildingGreen; Ken Langer, President, Architectural Energy Corporation, moderator. Watch/Listen.

Solar Decathlon Houses Shine Light on Architecture, Energy Efficiency, and Smart Technologies Building in the 21st Century March 11, 2010 Richard King, director of the Solar Decathlon, reviews the results and lessons learned from the fourth U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathalon and shows plans for future events. Watch/Listen.

A Green Building is a Healthier One For the Greener Good February 25, 2010 Can working in a green building make you healthier? And if you can prove this, would reduce a company’s health care insurance? Find out if this is a game changer when considering how and when to build sustainably. This panel included Gregory Kats, senior director and director of climate change policy, Good Energies; Michelle Moore, Federal Environmental Executive, President’s Council on Environmental Quality; Lisa Shpritz, Senior Vice President, Corporate Workplace for Bank of America; Vivian Loftness, Professor, Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture, and Robert Ivy, Architectural Record Editor-In-Chief, moderator. Watch/Listen.

Spotlight on Design: Lake | Flato Architects Spotlight on Design February 2, 2010 The modern vernacular buildings of Lake | Flato Architects combine ingenuity and craftsmanship with new technologies. In 2004, the San Antonio-based firm was chosen as the Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects. Hear Ted Flato, FAIA, one of the founding principals share the studio's work and design philosophy. Watch/Listen.

Urban Agriculture For the Greener Good January 26, 2010 Listen to a panel of experts discuss the ecological impact of how we grow our food and how urban agriculture has the potential to reclaim unused land in cities. The panel included Josh Viertel, president, Slow Food USA; Liz Falk, director and co-Founder, Washington D.C. based Common Good City Farm; Steve Cohen, food policy and programs, Portland Oregon’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability; and moderator Allison Arieff, Food and Shelter Ambassador, GOOD and “By Design” columnist, The New York Times. Watch/Listen.

The Business Side of Smart Growth: Local Assets, Local Approaches Smart Growth January 25, 2010 Dale Roberts, owner of The Java Shack Coffeehouse in Arlington, Virginia, discusses the role of small businesses as catalysts for successful smart growth. Watch/Listen.

How to Make a Green Roof December 18, 2009 Learn how to make your very own green roof using materials you have at home. A fun, educational activity the whole family will enjoy! Watch/Listen.