The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development.
Currently in its pilot period, LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration among USGBC, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The pilot program is no longer accepting projects. The post-pilot version of the rating system, which will be available to the public, is expected to launch in 2009.
Benefits of Developing a LEED for Neighborhood Development Community
Reduce Urban Sprawl.
In order to reduce the impacts of urban sprawl, or unplanned, uncontrolled spreading of urban development into areas outside of the metropolitan region, and create more livable communities, LEED for Neighborhood Development communities are:
- locations that are closer to existing town and city centers
- areas with good transit access
- infill sites
- previously developed sites
- sites adjacent to existing development
Typical sprawl development, low-density housing and commercial uses located in automobile-dependent outlying area, can harm the natural environment in a number of ways. It can consume and fragment farmland, forests and wildlife habitat; degrade water quality through destruction of wetlands and increased stormwater runoff; and pollute the air with increased automobile travel.
Encourage healthy living.
LEED for Neighborhood Development emphasizes the creation of compact, walkable, vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with good connections to nearby communities. Research has shown that living in a mixed-use environment within walking distance of shops and services results in increased walking and biking, which improve human cardiovascular and respiratory health and reduce the risk of hypertension and obesity.
Protect threatened species.
Fragmentation and loss of habitat are major threats to many imperiled species. LEED encourages compact development patterns and the selection of sites that are within or adjacent to existing development to minimize habitat fragmentation and also help preserve areas for recreation.
Increase transportation choice and decrease automobile dependence.
These two things go hand-in-hand; convenient transportation choices such as buses, trains, car pools, bicycle lanes and sidewalks, for example, are typically more available near downtowns, neighborhood centers and town centers, which are also the locations that produce shorter automobile trips.
Benefits to Project Developers of LEED for Neighborhood Development Communities
Potentially reduced fees or waiting periods.
Increasingly, municipalities are reducing fees or waiting periods associated with the approval process for community projects that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Successfully completing the first stage of LEED for Neighborhood Development certification (pre-review approval) may assist projects that are still in the planning stages to gain the necessary approvals as expediently and cost-effectively as possible.
A good impression on your neighbors.
A LEED for Neighborhood Development certification can help projects explain the environmental and community benefits of a project to residents and businesses in nearby areas. The rating system also encourages projects to work collaboratively with the existing neighborhood to make sure their needs are taken into account.
Higher tenancy rates.
Rising demand for housing in highly walkable or transit-accessible areas can result in higher tenancy rates.
LEED for Neighborhood Development, Pilot
Pilot Version Rating System (PDF)
The Rating System lists the intent, requirements, and submittals for each prerequisite and credit.
Pilot Version Project Checklist (PDF)
The Checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification.
List of LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot projects by project name
List of LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot projects by state/province
Characteristics of LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Projects
Understanding the Relationship Between Public Health and the Built Environment (PDF)
This report summarizes the relationship between how our communities are built and a series of public health outcomes such as physical activity, traffic accidents, respiratory health and mental health.
Join the LEED for Neighborhood Development Corresponding Committee
The corresponding committee is invited to comment on draft versions of the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system and will receive minutes from core committee meetings and other announcements. It is open to USGBC members and non-members but there are different ways to join:
- USGBC members can visit the USGBC Web site, log in to Your Account, and subscribe to the committee listserv.
- Others can send an e-mail to nd@committees.usgbc.org requesting to be added to the corresponding committee.
USGBC would like to thank the Blue Moon Fund, the EPA Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment, the EPA Development, Community, and Environment Division, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation for their support of LEED for Neighborhood Development.
