Thanks for joining me today to talk about LEED for Neighborhood Development. Id like to share an overview of the rating system, and explain how it guides new development and redevelopment projects towards more sustainable design. LEED-ND communities harness existing resources, like transit, public infrastructure, and historic buildings, and build upon them with pedestrian-friendly streets, lots of amenities, and green building techniques. The ultimate goal of LEED-ND is to create the kind of beautiful, responsible places where we should all be able to live and work.

*While urban or suburban sprawl might be hard to quantify, we all know it when we see it. It is dominated by low-density land use, single-use zoning, and automobile dependency. With the rapid outward growth of most metropolitan areas, this kind of development has unfortunately become commonplace. There are many negative consequences, including: rapid loss of farmland, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources, reduced water quality and quantity, and public health problems resulting from exclusive use of cars for transportation and from environmental toxins. In the recent Urban Land Institute report Growing Cooler, Reid Ewing et al write that Since 1980, the number of miles Americans drive has grown three times faster than the U.S. population. This can result in increased pollution, traffic, obesity, and infrastructure costs. LEED for Neighborhood is looking to encourage an alternative form of development.

*We have an opportunity to drastically lower CO2 emissions just by rethinking where we locate and how we design our communities. The typical suburban development represented in this chart produces over twice the carbon emissions of a more compact development within close proximity to a range of land uses. Roughly 38% of carbon emissions are attributed to buildings, with another 30% coming from the transportation sector. Personal automobiles are a major contributor to the transportation figure, and that is why development patterns that promote alternative transportation modes are so successful at reducing carbon emissions. Building compactly with attached residential units also greatly increases the energy efficiency of those buildings.According to Dr. Chris Nelson, a professor at the University of Utah, two-thirds of the structures in the U.S. that exist in 2050 will be built between now and then. We have a chance to change where and how those structures are built.

*All around us, we see automobile-dependent streetscapes like this one in Arlington, Virginia. Such development patterns do not create a safe pedestrian environment, and forcing the use of a car to fulfill even simple daily needs. But we can transform this streetscape*into this instead. Here, in this visualization, Urban Advantage shows an economically strong, vibrant streetscape, complete with many modes of transportation and an obvious character and charm. Communities like this are what LEED-ND is all about.[Presenter note: it may be helpful to flip back and forth to point out how different elements of the image change.]*The LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU). First conceived in 2002, the rating system integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green infrastructure and building into the first national standard for green neighborhood development.*Each of these three principles is an integral part of the LEED-ND rating system. Each has a unique perspective, yet they also mutually reinforce each other. The end result is a voluntary leadership standard for neighborhood developments that provides a set of criteria designed to help developers and designers envision sustainable communities in terms of where they are located, how they are designed, and how they perform. Now, lets briefly discuss the principles behind the rating system.

*Smart growth is about thoughtfully considering where and how growth occurs. Smart growth supports and revitalizes our existing communities, particularly center cities and older suburbs, with the goal of preserving open space and natural resources. New smart growth developments are compact, transit- and pedestrian- oriented, with a greater mix of housing types and affordability levels, and are predominantly mixed use.

*It is important to note that smart growth is not about preventing growth, but rather about creating choices about where people live and how they get around and replacing poorly planned development with growth that supports our communities.

*New Urbanism focuses on the design elements of a neighborhood that make it attractive, successful, and tightly-knit. This photograph of Bethesda Row in Montgomery County, Maryland, by Federal Realty, illustrates the kind of active and safe streetscape often found in New Urbanist communities. Places like this are created by applying certain design principles, such as short, walkable blocks, small setbacks, and the inclusion of a mix of uses in the neighborhood.

*The foundation of New Urbanism is a Charter, which outlines the principles behind the movement. Some of the major tenets of the Charter are shown on this slide.

*Using environmentally responsible building techniques for both individual buildings and neighborhood infrastructure is also an important part of the rating system. Green buildings and infrastructure have the potential to reduce energy use, water use and stormwater runoff, and produce other benefits, such as improving indoor air quality and supporting locally-sourced materials. [Presenter note: You may wish to call out all, or some, of the stats below] In the United States alone, buildings account for: 72% of electricity consumption, 39% of energy use, 38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 40% of raw materials use, 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually), and 14% of potable water consumption.

*For those of you familiar with other LEED rating systems, there are important differences to note. LEED-ND evaluates not just buildings, but the location of those buildings, the way they relate to each other, and qualities of the public spaces that knit them together.

*LEED-ND speaks directly to the triple bottom line (economy, environment and equity). Everyone living or working in a community can reap the benefits of sustainable development, whether through increased business, decreased health problems, or a higher quality of life.

*Research has shown that living in a mixed-use environment within walking distance of shops and services results in increased walking and biking, which can improve cardiovascular and respiratory health and reduce the risk of hypertension and obesity. Neighborhoods with decreased car use can also help combat toxic air pollution which can cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses.Inviting streets, neighborhood shops and restaurants, and great public spaces also foster a sense of community, and invite casual interaction among neighbors.

*Sustainable neighborhoods provide support for the local economy in numerous ways. Neighborhood shops are more likely to build a loyal customer base among residents within easy walking and bicycling distance Compact development near a mix of uses may allow residents to stay in homes longer as they age because driving is not necessary; neighborhoods with a mix of housing types also allow residents to stay in the community as their housing needs changeSustainable neighborhoods support local agriculture, through farmers markets, CSAs (community-supported agriculture), and community gardens

[Presenter note: See How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities by Joe Cortright, CEOs for Cities and Planetizen article Capturing the Value of Transit for more information]

Additionally, studies have found that, managed correctly, Proximity to Transit Increases Property Values A recent study found property values along the light rail system in Dallas increased 50 percent from 2005 to 2007, noting that existing and planned development near stations would bring in an additional $127 million in tax revenues a year. (source - http://www.planetizen.com/node/38695).

* Increasingly, renters and home-buyers are demanding walkable neighborhoods. A 2011 survey by the National Association of Realtors , found the 56% of those surveyed prefer smart growth neighborhoods and over three quarters look for neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly features. Two-thirds (66%) see being within an easy walk of places in their community as an important factor in deciding where to live.-Source (http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/smart_growth/survey)

[Presenter note: Mention additional studies as time allows]

Housing Values are Higher where its Walkable A 2011 study by CEOs for Cities found that houses with the above-average levels of walkability command a premium of about $4,000 to $34,000 over houses with just average levels of walkability in the typical metropolitan areas studied.(Source - http://blog.walkscore.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/WalkingTheWalk_CEOsforCities.pdf)

Also, Walkable Communities Cost the Taxpayer Less The federal Office of Technology Assessment estimates that a single house built on the urban fringe requires $10,000 more in public services than one built in the urban core. (source - http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/downtowns/ltb/lets/0703ltb.pdf)

*Responsible neighborhood developments can have numerous benefits for the environment. By building compactly and focusing development in existing areas, projects can help conserve water and other natural resources, protect habitat from fragmentation, keep air clean, and support local agriculture.

*LEED for Neighborhood Development is about all of us. LEED-ND touches everything in our daily lives, from where we work and live to how we travel and what kinds of amenities we enjoy.

*The rating system is divided into three categories: Smart Location & Linkage, Neighborhood Pattern & Design, and Green Infrastructure & Buildings. All three have prerequisites which are required of all projects and credits which reward performance. There also are ten additional points for Innovation and Design Process (exemplary performance and innovative performance) and Regional Priority Credits.

*Smart Location & Linkage focuses on WHERE the project is built. The prerequisites outline where the project cannot be located in order to preserve prime farmland, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and other places we want to save. At the same time, projects are encouraged to locate in existing areas near services or transit.

*This section looks at the broader context of the project, as well as how sensitive features within or near the project are addressed.

*Neighborhood Pattern & Design looks at HOW the project is laid out. This section promotes compact, complete, and connected developments. This kind of development can drastically change occupant behavior for the better. In the Growing Cooler study, the authors note that, With more compact development, people drive 20-40% less.

[Presenter note: Growing Cooler is a book published by ULI the Urban Land Institute and written by Reid Ewing (from the University of Utah) and several other researchers).

Anecdote:Lodi, a small community in California, launched a $4.5 million pedestrian-oriented project. The widened sidewalks, new street trees, lighting and benches on the main street helped attract 60 new business, decreased vacancy rates from 18% to 6%, and increased sales tax revenue by 30%.(source - http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/downtowns/ltb/lets/0703ltb.pdf)

*The NPD section reminds us that true neighborhoods have unique character, and include a variety of uses and building types that reflect local tastes. This section promotes neighborhood design that includes plenty of opportunities for residents, workers, and visitors to meet and build community, such as parks, farmers markets, and plazas.

*Finally, the Green Infrastructure & Buildings section focuses on measures that can reduce the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure. It promotes more efficient energy and water useespecially important in urban areas where infrastructure is often overtaxed.

*This image highlights how green building and infrastructure strategies can also create amenities and contribute to the character of a place, in addition to their environmental benefits. This rendering is of Via Verde, a proposed 18-story, 202-unit, working-class apartment complex in the Melrose section of the Bronx that won New York Citys first juried design competition for affordable and sustainable housing. The plan was developed by Jonathan Rose Companies and its nonprofit partners.

*Similar to the other LEED rating systems, LEED-ND rewards projects that go the extra mile. Innovative credits or ones that meet identified exemplary performance thresholds can apply for up to 5 extra points. (Presenter Note: Only 3 of 5 are available for exemplary performance).

In addition, LEED-ND awards an extra point for having ANY LEED AP on the project team.

*Regional Priority Credits encourage development to address geographic differences related to the environment, social equity, and public health. Depending on the local needs identified by subject matter experts from the U.S. Green Building Council, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Smart Growth America, a project could be awarded an extra credit for reducing the amount of water used on the landscape, for example.

*The LEED-ND rating system is a product of many years of input by staff and volunteers involved with the three partner organizations, including many leading experts in sustainable planning and design. Since 2007, nearly 240 pilot projects have participated in a pilot program, giving feedback on how the rating system works with real world projects. During 2008, the LEED-ND core committee made up of industry experts in the topics covered in the rating system started revising the rating system based on feedback from the pilot projects and other stakeholders. During 2009, the revised rating system went through two public comment periods, and was then officially balloted by USGBCs membership, and approved by the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council and in 2010, the registration and certification process was made available to project teams.Since you now have an overview of the overall mission of the rating system and the credit categories, lets take a look at a case study of a LEED-ND pilot project.

*Twinbrook Station is a 26 acre project that earned Gold certification of its plan as part of the LEED-ND pilot program. Located in Rockville, MD, the Twinbrook project is a transit-oriented development that transforms an underutilized commuter parking lot into a walkable, mixed-use development. The project is an example of a public-private partnership since The JBG Companies are developing the project in collaboration with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the land owner.

*As you can see from the bullet points, the Twinbrook Station project is using a wide variety of strategies that will create a sustainable place, reducing automobile use by providing ample transit service, and addressing building performance by earning LEED certification on 80% of its buildings.

*Jackson Square is an 11 acre project that earned Silver certification of its plan as part of the LEED-ND pilot program. Located in Roxbury, MA, the Jackson Square redevelopment project is an affordable, transit-oriented development that transforms an underutilized area once slated for a highway expansion. Developed in a Federal Empowerment Zone, the project is a great example of stakeholder involvement & coordination (over 10 years) by the development team; Jackson Square Partners.

*In addition to building a mixed-income community where 69% of rental units are priced below 80% Area Median Income (AMI), the project incorporates substantial green principles. Out of the green guidelines came the motive to incorporate green roofs into 70% of the roof area.

The project also incorporated extensive community engagement which will lead to the construction of additional community amenities, such as new recreation center.

*LEED for Neighborhood Development can be used in many different situations. There are no requirements in terms of use type or project location the project could be residential, commercial, or mixed-use and urban, suburban, or located adjacent to existing development.

Small or more rural communities might find that LEED-ND works well for the redevelopment of vacant lots in a main street context or of parcel of land, such as a factory or underutilized shopping center near the downtown.*Youve seen an example of one kind of project that can use LEED-ND, so lets talk a bit more about other types of projects that might be a good fit.

Projects may constitute whole neighborhoods, portions of neighborhoods, or multiple neighborhoods. Though there is no absolute minimum or maximum size limit, the recommended size range is at least two buildings up to 320 acres. The majority of square footage (over 50%) must also be new construction or substantial renovation.

The owner or developer should also control, or have the option to purchase, the majority of project land area.*LEED for Neighborhood Development can also be applied to infill development, brownfield redevelopment, suburban retrofits, as well as appropriate development of undeveloped land. *Emeryville Marketplace (Emeryville, CA)Redevelopment of auto-oriented suburban mall into mixed-use walkable communityAdjacent to Amtrak station

*Napa Pipe (Napa, CA)Old Pipe factory

*Uptown Renewal (Normal, IL)Plan for redevelopment in Uptown neighborhood of the cityTIGER funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation was also given awarded to support the construction of a new multi-modal transportation facility

*Excelsior & Grand (St. Louis Park, MN)Redevelopment of deteriorating strip mall complex into residential and retail center

*Example of an adjacent parcel of land outside College Park, MD in Prince Georges County that would meet SLLp1, option 2.

*Sweetwater (Hailey, ID)Development in small community (6200 people)*Private owners or developers will find value in evaluating their project against their peers and demonstrating their achievements against ND criteria. But these are not the only individuals who can benefit from using LEED-ND.

Nonprofit developers and public housing authorities might choose to pursue LEED-ND for redevelopment projects. Land developers might have a master plan evaluated before selling parcels to home builders.

Local governments could require or provide incentives to LEED-ND for a large tract of land that they own and wish to redevelop in a joint venture with developers.

Universities might use the rating system for the expansion of an urban campus or the construction of faculty housing and the federal government might consider LEED-ND for a new military base or town center development in an existing base, amongst other uses.

*LEED for Neighborhood Development differs from other commercial and residential LEED rating systems as it has three certification stages, which relate to the phases of the real estate development process. The stage structure gives projects at any stage of development a way to use LEED-ND. At each stage, the project receives acknowledgement of its success in a different format a letter, a certificate, and a plaque.

The SLL Prerequisite Review is a feature unique to LEED-ND, where projects pay a small fee to have just the five SLL prerequisites reviewed. The benefit of this optional review is that the applicant will then know for sure whether the projects location can pass the SLL prerequisites before moving forward with the rest of the certification submittal.

*There are many ways to increase your knowledge of LEED-ND, including educational offerings at several levels. In addition to online trainings available on demand, USGBC and our education provider network offer many ways to learn about sustainable development.

*Similar to the other LEED AP exams, the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED Rating System and the development of neighborhoods that meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development.

*For assistance in utilizing the rating system for your project, the LEED-ND reference guide is designed to provide the tools necessary for developers, planners, architects and others involved in the vertical and horizontal development of a neighborhood development project to successfully guide their project through certification.

In addition, for those studying for the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam, the study guide summarizes the critical points of the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system in an easy-to-review format.

*For more information on the LEED-ND rating system and program, please visit the websites listed.*With that, I will conclude my presentation. Please visit the LEED-ND webpage for more information about the program and additional resources that you may find helpful. The webpage also includes instructions on signing up to receive an occasional LEED for Neighborhood Development e-newsletter. Thanks for your time.

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