Philly Green Programs

Urban is thrilled to be a Charter Member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program, a new initiative to have local offices reduce the impacts of their office practices on the environment.

Urban joins 32 other Philadelphia-area businesses that have committed to implement mandatory measures and consider additional elective measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

Helene Brennan, PE, LEED®AP, whose Leadership Circle project concerns “Going Green,” is coordinating Urban’s participation. Brennan’s hard work in the Leadership Circle and her dedication to making both Urban and our community a better place has resulted in Urban’s increased dedication to conserve resources, reduce waste, recycle, and re-use materials.

Some of the programs Urban has already implemented include:

• Recycling cell phones, batteries, toner cartridges, and computer hardware
• Joining and promoting the use of Philly Car Share and encouraging mass transit usage
• Purchasing "Energy Star" computers and monitors
• Utilizing teleconferencing and "webinars" for meetings
• Using "E-Copy" and pdf files to reduce paper use
• Providing LEED® training to staff

Urban currently has more than 20 accredited LEED®AP professionals on staff, with an additional 30 people studying to take the exam in the next few months. LEED® stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a performance-based rating system for green buildings established by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED® is the benchmark for green buildings, and covers all aspects of a building, from materials to energy, water, and building operation.

Urban understands that designing and building using green practices, including LEED® certification of buildings, is the wave of the future and we are committed to using these practices. Urban’s MEP Division recently completed design work for the US Airways Ground Service Equipment Building at Philadelphia International Airport. This effort assisted the client receive 19-of-a-possible-19 design credits toward USGBC Silver certification.