Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide First Edition
Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide First Edition
Green Building and LEED Core Concepts Guide First Edition
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THINK ABOUT IT<br />
Electric cars <strong>and</strong> net-zero buildings. <strong>Building</strong>s create the dem<strong>and</strong><br />
for transportation. In t he future, they may also supply the energy to fuel our<br />
transportation system . What are the implications of the growing convergence<br />
between vehicles <strong>and</strong> buildings How will electrification of vehicles transform<br />
transportation <strong>and</strong> bui ldings How might it alter ene rgy efficiency or on site<br />
renewable energy goals for buildings<br />
SITE SELECTION<br />
The selection of a project site can provide opportunities to protect habitat<br />
<strong>and</strong> restore degraded areas . Development or rcdevelopmenton former industrial properties<br />
(so-called brownfields) may require the cleanup of contaminated sailor groundwater. Brownfield<br />
redevelopment can be regenerative: it improves the quality of the environment. This strategy<br />
also reduces pressure for the development ofgreenfie\d (undeveloped) Sites, which in turn reduces<br />
fragmentation of natural habitats. Some projects rake the extra step of explicitly protecting additional<br />
habitat outside the project boundaries as part of the development process.<br />
Strategies to address site selection include the following:<br />
• Increase density. Create a smaller footprint <strong>and</strong> maximize the floor·area ratio or square<br />
footage per acre.<br />
• Choose redevelopment. Build on a previously developed or brownfield site.<br />
• Protect habitat. Give preference to locations that do not include sensitive site elements <strong>and</strong><br />
l<strong>and</strong> types.<br />
lEED in Practice<br />
Smart locations <strong>and</strong> <strong>LEED</strong> for Neighborhood Development<br />
<strong>LEED</strong> for Neighborhood Development encourages development within <strong>and</strong> near existing communities<br />
or public transportation infrastructure. The goal is to reduce vehicle trips <strong>and</strong> miles traveled<br />
<strong>and</strong> support walking as a transportation choice. This promotes public health <strong>and</strong> a vibrant communitylife.<br />
One measure of "smart location" is access to transit service. <strong>LEED</strong> recognizes projects that locate<br />
at least 50% of dwelling unit entrances within a l/4 -mile walk of bus or streetcar stops or a 1/2 -mile<br />
walk from bus rapid transit, light or heavy passenger rail stations, ferry terminals, or tram terminals.<br />
30<br />
<strong>Green</strong> Bu ilding <strong>and</strong> <strong>LEED</strong> Co re <strong>Concepts</strong> <strong>Guide</strong>
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