The American Real Estate Society, in cooperation with and funding by the CoStar Group, announces a call for papers for a special issue of the real estate monograph series on “green buildings and sustainable real estate” called Journal of Sustainable Real Estate. The best research paper published will receive a $15,000 honorarium. All papers accepted for publication will receive $1,000. Authors are encouraged to submit original research that can help investors, developers, appraisers, lenders, asset managers, elected government officials and land use regulators improve their strategies, decision-making and understanding of the impact of sustainable real estate practices. Topics and questions of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Philosophical and Definitional
a. What is a “green building” and/or a “sustainable development”?
b. Who should set the standards and what types of measurement systems should be used?
c. What does green or sustainable real estate mean around the world and how is it measured?
d. What can we learn from some of the global thought leaders about sustainable real estate?
Regulatory Issues
a. Nearly every major city and several states now require LEED certification for certain types or sizes of buildings. How do these requirements compare and can we learn anything from some of the incentive systems versus requirement systems in terms of effectiveness and efficiency?
b. Some states like California have emission limits and energy efficiency standards or water limitations that are being phased in over time. c. What is the impact on building cost of such programs and how much impact on energy consumption and carbon emissions will they have?
d. Some countries use rebate systems and tax credits for utilities or green features. How have such programs impacted the return on investment for energy savings and or co-generation via solar or other means?
e. Are there “carrots” or “sticks” that work well? What are the effects of these subsidies, taxes or other incentives on the return on investment for green development?
Financing and Valuation Issues
a. Are there or should there be financing incentives for green buildings and sustainable development? How do you value a building with green features? Are benefits imbedded in rents and occupancy or expenses, or is there an impact on risk that should affect required returns? How do lenders view the costs and benefits of green?
b. What are the implications of the green and sustainable movements for appraisers and the appraisal process?
c. How and what are the observable value effects of green and sustainable development?
USGBC’s LEED Program, CABA, Energy Star, and Hi-Performance Building Systems
a. How are the standards evolving for measuring important dimensions of building performance? Should we have a required disclosure system for building performance like Energy Star for appliances, but on broader issues of concern?
b. What is not measured by the current LEED systems that are important to tenants today with respect to building performance?
c. Are there conflicts with state and local building codes and municipal subdivision and site conditions that make implementation difficult? Island use and building code official education an issue?
d. What is the impact of green buildings on worker productivity and morale, retail sales, and benefits that go beyond energy savings? Can these be valued? Do they or will they eventually translate into rent?
e. Does solar pay off? Will real estate owners trade carbon credits some day?
Green and Sustainable Strategies and Policies
a. How many public and private companies have green policy statements? How has this affected real estate decisions?
b. Portfolio approaches to energy consumption: Are carbon credits possible for larger scale developments and portfolios?
c. What are the new technologies and strategies affecting water consumption? Are they cost effective?
d. Who is defending the status quo? Why?
e. Who is or should be developing new products?
Case Studies of Innovative Properties, Products, Design or Management Strategies
a. What are the lessons learned? Good examples of bad practices? Good examples of good/best practices? Great resources?
1.All papers will be subject to anonymous double blind review by practicing professionals and academicians.
2.Articles must be written to be understandable by institutional real estate investors; lengthy formulas and mathematics should appear in an appendix. Applied empirical studies will be given preference. Early submissions are greatly appreciated.
3.Style guidelines are available in the back of all JRER issues and on the ARES web site www.aresnet.org.
4.Submissions are preferred in MS Word or PDF format.
Special Issue Co-Editors: Norm Miller, Editor, University of San Diego and Daniel Kohlhepp, Co-Editor Crescent Resources.
Authors should submit their manuscript no later than, May 15, 2009 to Norm Miller via email at greenjournal_AT_sandiego_DOT_edu or to nmiller_AR_sandiego_DOT_edu or mail hard copies to:
University of San Diego
Burnham Moores Real Estate Center
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492
