Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This dissertation explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the development, adoption, and performance of green buildings in regions with relatively low certification uptake, drawing insights from Baton Rouge and its parish system as a case study. It addresses three primary research questions: (1) How can the adoption rate of green buildings be enhanced? (2) How do certified buildings perform compared to their non-certified counterparts? (3) What operational metrics can be applied to better evaluate building performance in the future?

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines stakeholder perceptions in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, investigates energy performance, indoor environmental quality, and occupant satisfaction from public libraries, dormitories, events buildings, and multifamily housing units, and develops the Operational Sustainability Index (OPSi) to assess building performance holistically. Findings reveal that while LEED-certified buildings often demonstrate superior energy performance and occupant satisfaction post-certification, most non-certified buildings fall short of efficiency benchmarks. The OPSi framework introduced in this study allows for a multi-dimensional performance assessment, and is applicable across building types and regions.

The research concludes that operational performance tracking must complement certification, and that policy makers should prioritize localized benchmarks and performance-based incentives. Contributions include the development of benchmarking tools, the establishment of energy use baselines for non-occupancy periods, and a practical roadmap for data-driven building optimization. Policymakers, engineers, sustainability professionals, and urban planners aiming to advance operational sustainability in the built environment will find this work interesting and insightful.

Date

7-21-2025

Committee Chair

Reams, Margaret

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.6830

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