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A principal social benefit of sustainable design is the improved
health, morale, and welfare of Air Force personnel. Our efforts to
attract and retain high quality Airmen are bolstered by
installations that embrace sustainable site design that provides an
improved quality of life through the promotion of healthy lifestyles
and Air Force community pride. Other green social benefits include
improved indoor air quality and increased personal control of
temperatures and ventilation. These elements have strong positive
effects in combating illness, absenteeism, fatigue, discomfort,
stress, and distractions. In addition to reducing risks and
discomforts, buildings should also contain features and attributes
that create positive psychological and social experiences such as
access to daylight and views providing a connection to nature.
The Installation Restoration Program (IRP) has been a huge
success and efforts to increase density through development upon
improved brownfield sites are an extension of these achievements.
Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and
commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is
complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. The
social benefit of these activities is rooted in the pride we feel in
leading lead the charge to improve the environment and our
installations.
- Better health:
When people live closer to where they work and
play, they tend to walk and cycle more in the course of meeting
daily needs. One study found that residents of walkable communities
were more than twice as likely to get 30 minutes a week of physical
activity.
- Greater safety:
Less driving also translates into fewer accidents. Vehicle accident
rates are about four times lower in high-density developed areas as
opposed to lower-density suburbs. Increased safety is also realized
through sustainable design complimenting Anti-Terrorism / Force
Protection (AT/FP) standards such as building stand-off buffers that
can be landscaped appropriately for water reclamation.
- Stronger communities:
Working closer together and spending more
time in shared public spaces, people have more opportunities to meet
others and build a stronger community. This sustainable benefit has
a direct impact on recruiting and retention as it satisfies the
natural human desire to be a part of something larger that oneself..
- Improved quality of life:
People who have limited access to a
vehicle may feel stranded at bases that depend on cars. Green
installations provide more available amenities to personnel across
the installation. Quality of life is another key element to Air
Force pride and retention as recognized by the Air Force priority
list released January of 2007.
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