Research on social and humanistic needs in planning and construction of green buildings

• A list of the social and humanistic needs to be considered when planning green building is compiled.
• Needs for convenient facilities and public services should be considered in priority.
• The public has certain acceptance of the green building incremental cost.
• One's willing to pay for green building has no significant correlation with income.
• House should be designed to meet its eco-nature in lighting, ventilation and energy.

Green building refers to a structure and using process that environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition. In the period of the 12th five-year plan (2011–2015), China's green building develops toward regionalization and scale expansion. Based on a questionnaire (n = 137) among groups of different income and social status combined with statistical analysis, This article aims at analyzing and understanding the social and humanistic needs that should be taken into account when planning and constructing green buildings, s. The results include: (1) compiled a list of the social and humanistic needs for the planning of green buildings, including architectural mixed style, green residential space, public open space, and public supporting facilities; (2) Chinese social and humanistic needs should focus on convenient services facilities and public services, compatibility between buildings and the surrounding environment, a rational house layout and function, as well as the urban green land's adaptability to local climate; (3) independent from their income levels, the respondents showed acceptance for green buildings’ incremental costs; (4) house design and function should meet the green connotations including lighting, ventilation, energy conservation etc., and also give full consideration to the development and reserved space for future building renovation. Meanwhile, house design and function should have well-balanced various house styles, address the needs of people at different levels, and make house units more diversified. These results aim at providing decision making basis for large-scale development of green buildings.