PART TWO | Massive Change in the City

Chicago Center for Green Technology

The Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) provides many green technology educational resources to the public. The on-site Green Building Resource Center is a must-see for builders, developers, facility managers, architects and homeowners looking to incorporate sustainable design practices and green materials into their next building project. The center's resources include green building standards and construction guides; reference books; recycled, reused and renewable building material samples; a public-access workstation with established links to green technology web sites; and staff and volunteers to guide you through the research process.

CCGT also offers tours, workshops and other opportunities for people to learn about green technology. Guided tours of the facility are available to anyone who wants to see sustainable design first-hand. Educational workshops on topics of general interest, such as solar electricity, native landscaping, and green roofs, are offered to the general public. Seminars designed specifically for building industry professionals address issues of interest to them, such as boiler efficiency and whole-building design strategies. See the Calendar of Events for upcoming events.

Some of the publications and other resources at the Green Building Resource Center are also available electronically. These include:

Best Practices for Green Building in Chicago

A compilation of the best green building practices for homeowners, designers, developers/owners and facility managers, including a "Top Ten List of Green Building Practices" for each user group.

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Chicago Center for Green Technology Poster

Includes photographs and descriptions of the features that earned Chicago Center for Green Technology a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. CCGT is the only LEED Platinum municipal building in the country, and the first renovated building to be designated Platinum.

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Chicago Green Bungalow Initiative

Describes the transformation of four Chicago bungalows to "green" bungalows. Includes a discussion of sustainable design features and post-renovation energy savings.

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Disconnecting Downspouts

Easy-to-follow directions for disconnecting any downspout that routes rainwater directly into the sewer system.

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Financial Incentives for Building Green

Lists rebates, grants, and other financial incentives available from the federal government, the State of Illinois, private foundations and other sources for green building projects of various types and sizes.

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Green Building Resource Center flyer

Describes the different types of green building resources found at GBRC, and provides contact information for the center.

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Green Homes for Chicago

Highlights the five winning designs and architects from the Green Homes for Chicago international design competition, which produced five affordable, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes.

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Guide to Rooftop Gardening

Discusses the benefits of rooftop gardens and provides step-by-step instructions for planning a garden on a rooftop.

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Guide to Stormwater Best Management Practices in Chicago

Provides practical examples of site design and drainage methods proven effective at reducing the quantity of stormwater runoff for residential, commercial and industrial developments.

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Self-Guided Tour of the Chicago Center for Green Technology

This brochure highlights the "green" features of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-rated Chicago Center for Green Technology. Hard copies of the brochure are available at CCGT to anyone who wishes to take a self-guided tour of the facility.

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The Chicago Standard

Adopted by the City of Chicago, this construction standard for municipal buildings guides design, construction and renovation in a manner that provides healthier indoor environments, reduces operating costs, and conserves energy and resources. It also includes provisions for outfitting, operating and maintaining those facilities.

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