Intent
To promote projects that are well connected to the community at large. To encourage development within existing communities that minimizes vehicle miles traveled. To improve public health by encouraging daily physical activity.
Requirements
* This credit language is drawn from the LEED v4 draft. Where other point totals are noted, this pilot credit is worth 1 point in total. *
Option 4. Street network (1 point)
Locate the project in an area of high intersection density, defined as an area whose existing streets and sidewalks create at least 90 intersections per square mile (35 intersections per square kilometer). When determining the number of intersections, include the following:
- intersections within a ¼ mile (400 meter) radius of project boundary;
- streets and sidewalks that are available for general public use and not gated;
- sidewalk intersections provided they are a unique right of way (i.e., a sidewalk through a city park); and
- publicly accessible alleys.
Exclude the following:
- intersections in gated areas, which are not considered available for public use, with the exception of education and health care campuses and military bases where gates are used for security purposes;
- water bodies and public parks; and
- intersections leading only to a dead end or cul-de-sac.
Credit specific
To gain credit, submit an aerial map of the project and surrounding area. Create a circle with a ¼ mile radius, and mark each intersection within that radius with the following caveats:
- All streets and sidewalks that are counted toward the connectivity requirement must be available for general public use and not gated. Gated areas are not considered available for public use, with the exception of education and health care campuses and military bases where gates are used for security purposes.
- Sidewalk intersections may be counted only if they are a unique and dedicated right of way
- Publicly accessible alleys may be counted.
- Intersections leading to cul-de-sacs are not counted.
Credit is earned for projects with an intersection density of at least 90 qualified intersections per square mile.
Example submittal:
Additional questions:
- Did you find that the number of intersections near your project was an effective measure of project connectivity to the local community?
- If the number of intersections was low, can you identify a reason (rural setting, proximity to a large open space etc.)
- Do you think the requirement thresholds should be increased or decreased? Why?
- Would you consider your project site to be well connected (i.e., meets the intent of this credit)? Is this reflected in your intersection count?
Changes:
- Changes made 11/01/2010:
Changed Applicable Rating Systems: removed NC, CI, CS, Schools, Retail, Healthcare and EB:O&M, added Homes Mid-Rise
Added metric for 1 square mile of intersections
2nd bullet: changed “unique” to “unique and dedicated”
4th bullet: changed “intersections with” to “intersections leading to”
Added example submittal graphic - Changes made 3/1/2011:
Changed title from “Open and Connected Community”
Eliminated higher threshold, and changed the lower threshold from 300 intersections per square mile to 90.
1st bullet: changed “all weather pathways” to “sidewalks” - Changes made 3/1/2012:
Changed title to Street Network - Changes made 1/15/2013:
Minor edits to align with LEED v4 5th Public Comment version of LT Site Selection – Option 4: Street Network
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