USGBC ALabama Chapter

Birmingham Charter

Development of Birmingham Charter on Sustainable Development Begins

To replace the outdated Athens Charter of 1933, earlier this month, Auburn University's Urban Studio in Birmingham was the location for some of the world’s leading green building experts to begin creating the Birmingham Charter.

The Charter's purpose is to create a new set of protocols for sustainable development worldwide, and to discard wasteful, environmentally destructive modes and patterns of urban development left over from the 20th century. Led by India’s Karan Grover, known as the greenest architect in the world and the first architect to build a LEED Platinum-certified building, Karan's vision for the Birmingham Charter is a respect for the earth and for future generations, and the idea that sustainability is both a right and responsibility.
To replace the outdated Athens Charter of 1933, earlier this month, Auburn University's Urban Studio in Birmingham was the location for some of the world’s leading green building experts to begin creating the Birmingham Charter.

The Charter's purpose is to create a new set of protocols for sustainable development worldwide, and to discard wasteful, environmentally destructive modes and patterns of urban development left over from the 20th century. Led by India’s Karan Grover, known as the greenest architect in the world and the first architect to build a LEED Platinum-certified building, Karan's vision for the Birmingham Charter is a respect for the earth and for future generations, and the idea that sustainability is both a right and responsibility.

Participants included David Eisenberg, co-founder of the Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT) in Tucson, Ariz. and an expert in greening building codes; Charles Kibert, one of the people credited with inventing the term “sustainable development” and professor at the University of Florida; Kathy Roper, professor at Georgia Tech and expert in facility management; DCAT co-director Tony Novelli; R. Steven Lewis from Los Angeles and president of the National Organization of Minority Architects; and from Birmingham, developer Cathy Crenshaw and builder and consultant Colin Coyne.

Serving key roles were Birmingham architects Chris Giattina, Cheryl Morgan and Laura Clemons. Serving as moderators were James Smith of Green Building Focus and Cathy Wright of Birmingham firm Clarus Consulting. On behalf of the USGBC, Robin White participated and via video hookup, Llewellyn van Wyk, architect and sustainability expert from Pretoria, South Africa, participated.

What next? By October 31, a subcommittee comprised of Cheryl Morgan, Marshall Anderson and Robin White will present the first draft list of "Sustainable Principles and Guidelines for Cities & Municipalities" to the Birmingham Charter organizing committee.

To follow coverage of the October Birmingham Charter summit, check out:

www.bhamweekly.com/2009/10/01/the-big-idea-how-the-birmingham-charter-could-change-the-world/