LEED ND Details week 11

LEED ND Details

Dr. Virginia P. Sisiopiku

Introduction to LEED ND

  • LEED ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development) aims to integrate green building and smart growth principles to foster sustainable communities.

  • This study will cover key topics such as prerequisites and credits associated with LEED ND, with a particular focus on three main categories: Smart Location and Linkage (SLL), Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD), and Green Infrastructure and Buildings (GIB).

LEED ND Topics Overview

  • Prerequisites & Credits

  • Smart Location and Linkage (SLL)

  • Neighborhood Pattern & Design (NPD)

  • Green Infrastructure & Buildings (GIB)

  • Utilizing LEED ND SLL, NPD, and GIB beyond certification

Smart Location and Linkage (SLL)

Definition and Focus

  • SLL focuses on "WHERE" the project is built, examining the broader context and addressing sensitive features within or near the project.

  • Encompasses 5 Prerequisites and 9 Credits.

  • Aims to reduce vehicle trips.

SLL Prerequisites and Credits Overview
Prerequisites (Required)

  1. Smart Location

    • Must develop on a site that is infill, connected to adjacent development, or served by transit or neighborhood amenities.

  2. Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities

    • Onsite conservation of any imperiled species and habitats is required.

  3. Wetland and Water Body Conservation

    • Must avoid building near or on wetlands and water bodies.

  4. Agricultural Land Conservation

    • Protect prime agricultural land from development.

  5. Floodplain Avoidance

    • Prevent most building on floodplains.

Credits (Points Available)

  1. Preferred Locations (1-10 Points)

    • Sites must be highly accessible and connected to other nearby developments.

  2. Brownfield Redevelopment (1-2 Points)

    • Involves remediation of contaminated sites for redevelopment.

  3. Locations with Reduced Automobile Dependence (1-7 Points)

    • Development in areas well-served by transit or with low average driving rates.

  4. Bicycle Network and Storage (1 Point)

    • Locations must provide suitable bicycle storage and be along bicycle networks.

  5. Housing and Jobs Proximity (1-3 Points)

    • Must locate jobs and housing near each other, particularly affordable housing.

  6. Steep Slope Protection (1 Point)

    • Protect steep slopes from development.

  7. Site Design for Habitat or Wetland and Water Body Conservation (1 Point)

    • Conserve pre-existing habitats, wetlands, or water bodies.

  8. Restoration of Habitat or Wetlands and Water Bodies (1 Point)

    • Requires restoration of degraded areas and conservation in perpetuity.

  9. Long-Term Conservation Management of Habitat or Wetlands and Water Bodies (1 Point)

    • Implement a long-term management plan for conservation efforts.

Importance of SLL Prerequisites

  • Ensure projects do not disrupt sensitive ecosystems and promote proximity to existing services or transit, enhancing overall community connectivity.

SLL Checklist Summary

  • Checklist helps assess compliance with prerequisites and credits. Key items include successful answers (Yes/No) for each prerequisite and credit, confirming eligibility for a total of 27 Points Possible.

Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD)

Definition and Focus

  • NPD examines "HOW" the project layout is organized, promoting compact, complete, and connected developments.

  • Involves 3 Prerequisites and 15 Credits.

NPD Prerequisites and Credits Overview
Prerequisites (Required)

  1. Walkable Streets

    • Include public-facing building entries, appropriate building heights, continuous sidewalks, and limited garage entries.

  2. Compact Development

    • Must meet minimum density thresholds.

  3. Connected and Open

    • Ensure streets connect within the neighborhood and adjacent areas.

Credits (Points Available)

  1. Walkable Streets (1-12 Points)

    • Enhance pedestrian experience with frequent entries, ground-level windows, and parking consideration.

  2. Compact Development (1-6 Points)

    • Maximizing efficient use of land with additional housing or non-residential space.

  3. Mixed-Use Neighborhood Centers (1-4 Points)

    • Clustering neighborhood shops and services close to residents.

  4. Mixed-Income Diverse Communities (1-7 Points)

    • Providing diverse housing types and affordability.

  5. Reduced Parking Footprint (1 Point)

    • Minimize surface parking lots and provide alternative parking options.

  6. Street Network (1-2 Points)

    • Superior connections of streets within neighborhoods and to adjacent areas.

  7. Transit Facilities (1 Point)

    • Include supportive facilities at transit stops such as shelters and information displays.

  8. Transportation Demand Management (1-2 Points)

    • Strategies to encourage environmentally preferable transportation options.

  9. Access to Civic and Public Spaces (1 Point)

    • Incorporate squares, parks, and plazas to promote public interaction.

  10. Access to Recreation Facilities (1 Point)

    • Include recreational amenities within proximity for residents.

  11. Visitability and Universal Design (1 Point)

    • Considers design for accessibility for all abilities.

  12. Community Outreach and Involvement (1-2 Points)

    • Designs should involve community input.

  13. Local Food Production (1 Point)

    • Provide garden spaces or access to local produce.

  14. Tree-Lined and Shaded Streets (1-2 Points)

    • Incorporate trees to enhance urban landscape.

  15. Neighborhood Schools (1 Point)

    • Schools should be within walking distance of homes.

NPD Importance

  • Emphasizes the promotion of walking, public transport, and building cohesive communities with diverse options in housing and amenities.

Green Infrastructure and Buildings (GIB)

Definition and Focus

  • GIB focuses on "HOW" to reduce environmental impacts of a development.

  • Encourages efficient energy and water usage and involves 4 Prerequisites and 17 Credits.

GIB Prerequisites and Credits Overview
Prerequisites (Required)

  1. Certified Green Building

    • Ensure baseline adherence to green building certifications.

  2. Minimum Building Energy Performance

    • Establish required energy performance metrics.

  3. Indoor Water Use Reduction

    • Targets reductions in indoor water usage.

  4. Construction Activity Pollution Prevention

    • Commit to pollution prevention strategies during construction.

Credits (Points Available)

  1. Certified Green Buildings (1-5 Points)

    • Include multiple buildings needing green building certification.

  2. Building Energy Efficiency (1-2 Points)

    • Ensure superior energy efficiency in building designs.

  3. Building Water Efficiency (1 Point)

    • Focus on superior water efficiency measures.

  4. Water-Efficient Landscaping (1 Point)

    • Landscaping approaches to minimize water requirements.

  5. Existing Building Use (1 Point)

    • Reuse existing structures where possible.

  6. Historic Resource Preservation and Adaptive Use (1 Point)

    • Reuse and restore historic infrastructure when feasible.

  7. Minimized Site Disturbance in Design and Construction (1 Point)

    • Preservation of key environmental features.

  8. Stormwater Management (1-4 Points)

    • Implement on-site stormwater retention practices.

  9. Heat Island Reduction (1 Point)

    • Strategies to lower heat retention in urban landscapes.

  10. Solar Orientation (1 Point)

    • Optimize buildings for solar energy exposure.

  11. On-Site Renewable Energy Sources (1-3 Points)

    • Generate renewable energy solutions on-site.

  12. District Heating and Cooling (2 Points)

    • Utilize shared heating and cooling systems.

  13. Infrastructure Energy Efficiency (1 Point)

    • Reduce energy needs in community infrastructure.

  14. Wastewater Management (1-2 Points)

    • Manage and treat wastewater sustainably.

  15. Recycled Content in Infrastructure (1 Point)

    • Use recycled materials in public works.

  16. Solid Waste Management Infrastructure (1 Point)

    • Incorporate waste management practices within planning.

  17. Light Pollution Reduction (1 Point)

    • Control light pollution through thoughtful design.

GIB Importance

  • The section emphasizes sustainable design practices that protect resources and the environment while enhancing community resilience.

Bonus Credits and Certification Levels

Bonus Credits

  1. Innovation and Design Process

    • Credit 1: Innovation and Exemplary Performance (1-6 Points)

  2. LEED Accredited Professional

    • Regional Priority Credit (1-4 Points)

    • Inclusion of regionally specific environmental, social equity, or public health priorities.

LEED ND Certification Levels

  • LEED-ND CERTIFIED: 40-49 Points

  • LEED-ND SILVER: 50-59 Points

  • LEED-ND GOLD: 60-79 Points

  • LEED-ND PLATINUM: 80-100 Points

Using LEED ND beyond Certification

  • Provides criteria for evaluating the potential positive impact of developments on their environment and community.

  • Can assess proposed or existing neighborhoods based on a comprehensive set of environmental and social criteria.

Questions for Consideration When Using LEED ND
SLL Considerations

  • Is this a good place to build?

    • Prior considerations including the redevelopment of previously developed or infill sites.

    • Assessing the proximity to jobs and reduction of automobile reliance.

    • Ensuring preservation of sensitive natural areas.

NPD Considerations

  • Is the neighborhood designed for walkability?

    • Includes considerations for safe pedestrian paths, variety of services, and public facilities within walking distance.

GIB Considerations

  • Can the project mitigate environmental impacts?

    • The focus on reducing pollution, encouraging materials reuse, and ensuring efficient resource management is critical for modern development.

Final Thoughts

  • LEED ND represents a comprehensive framework aimed at fostering sustainable neighborhoods that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. This framework not only aids in certifying new developments but also serves as a guide for improving existing communities and informing broader policy initiatives.