A 2021 Built Environment Social Equity Survey of the National Institute of Building Sciences has found that more than two in five (43%) employed/working respondents indicate their company has a program or initiative dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.

NIBS launched the survey in March with the help of market research and consulting firm Avenue M Group. Nearly 12,000 responses were collected.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically in leadership positions, must be a priority in the building industry,” said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, President and CEO of NIBS. “The built environment needs a workforce and culture transformation, and this survey is just the first step to establish baseline data and set actionable goals. NIBS remains dedicated to the work that lies ahead.”

Eighteen organizations participated in the survey, including the American Institute of Architects, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Building Owners and Managers Association International, Construction Management Association of America, Construction Specifications Institute, A Council for the American Society of Interior Designers, Design-Build Institute of America, Energy & Environmental Building Alliance, Green Building Initiative, Institute of Real Estate Management, International Code Council, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, New Buildings Institute, Northwest Energy Efficiency Council & Smart Buildings Center, Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, RMC Research & Education Foundation, and U.S. Green Building Council.

Among the findings:

• Around two-thirds (65%) of employees have indicated that it is important or extremely important to increase the diversity of the built environment.
• The majority of survey respondents are employed full-time (71%) and have been in the built environment for more than 20 years.
• Nearly three-fourths (74%) of survey respondents identify as White.
• Sixty-three percent of respondents work in private industry or business and 23% work in government.
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents are men, and almost three in 10 (28%) are women.
• Sixty-six percent of women respondents indicated they experienced discrimination or prejudice in the built environment based on gender.
• Younger respondents and women were more likely to indicate the importance to increase the diversity of the built environment.
• Black or African-American respondents (91%), South Asian respondents (89%), East Asian respondents (84%), and Hispanic or Latina/Latino/Latinx respondents (79%) were more likely than White respondents (64%) to indicate it is important or extremely important to increase the diversity of the built environment.

In related diversity and inclusion news, NIBS hosts quarterly virtual leadership meetings with the Women Executives in Building. Women in the c-suite of the built environment are invited to join, share ideas, challenges, and solutions to current issues. The next meeting is August 31.

Learn more about NIBS’ commitment to diversity and inclusion.