For more information, contact: Trisha Riggs at 202-624-7086

WASHINGTON (September 19, 2012) – The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and sustainable community building, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to support ULI’s initiative dedicated to energy-efficient and environmentally conscious real estate practices.

The initiative, called Climate Change, Land Use and Energy (CLUE), is a broad, interdisciplinary dialogue that explores how issues related to climate change are changing real estate practices and reshaping urban markets. While the CLUE initiative encompasses both new and existing buildings, the activities supported by this grant will place a particular emphasis on the financing of energy-efficient retrofits in existing buildings. The grant from the MacArthur Foundation will be leveraged by funding from the ULI Foundation, the institute’s source of philanthropic contributions that support key ULI research, programs and activities.

“The CLUE initiative explores how energy-efficient and environmentally aware real estate practices make sound business sense and contribute to community sustainability,” said ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. “The MacArthur Foundation’s support will help enhance the scale and scope of this important program. We are delighted to have been chosen by the foundation to help advance knowledge of these issues and look forward to forging industry partnerships that advance real estate best practices.”

The MacArthur Foundation grant will help support a series of CLUE programs being planned by ULI over the next two years, including:

• Two national policy and practice forums and reports dedicated to issues associated with energy efficiency in buildings;
• A series of project case studies on best practices to be featured in ULI publications;
• A program exploring the integration of energy efficiency in the multifamily housing marketplace, with a special emphasis on engaging ULI members who are owners of multifamily housing;
• An initiative to explore energy efficiency in a local market setting that leverages the broad reach of ULI’s district council network.

About the Urban Land Institute:
The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has nearly 30,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

About the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation:
The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. More information is at www.macfound.org.