Working through grantees, it has had significant impact on promoting adoption of state and federal vehicle efficiency standards, more stringent residential and commercial building codes to reduce energy consumption, and development of renewable energy technology.

FORBES: How To Get A Jumpstart On Your Philanthropy

One of their investments is with a developer who needed 12 years to track down the hundreds of deeds for a property outside Mumbai, where he's building a residential, commercial and office project.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Gale has come under fire for building lucrative residential units before commercial lease buildings.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Losses associated with commercial real estate, especially land development and residential building, were a major factor in the large number of U.S. bank failures since 2008.

FORBES: Will banks' shifting portfolio mixes mean easier borrowing for businesses?

With many markets, such as aerospace, industrial gas turbine and commercial building remaining soft, and the residential construction market being hampered by severe winter weather, Alcoa says that it will strengthen its performance by developing innovative products that add value for its customers.

FORBES: Sagging Economy Can't Foil Alcoa

The amount of commercial building space rose about 25%, and total residential space (much less energy-intensive) grew about 50%.

FORBES: Information Technology Has Created a New Electric Demand Paradigm