USGBC LEED-AP-ND - LEED AP Neighborhood Development (LEED ND)

When selecting renewable energy technologies for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Renewable Energy Production, site conditions such as wind exposure are crucial considerations. Wind exposure directly affects the feasibility and efficiency of wind energy systems, making it a key factor in determining whether wind turbines or other wind-based energy systems can be effectively implemented. While other factors like distance from a wetland orelevation above the floodplain are important for site selection, they are not directly related to the efficiency of renewable energy technologies like wind exposure is.

The intent of the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Local Food Production under LEED for Neighborhood Development primarily focuses on enhancing community sustainability and promoting healthy living. Among the listed options, the inclusion of supporting walking and biking aligns with the goal of creating more walkable and bike-friendly environments, which is a key aspect of sustainable neighborhood design. This not only supports local food production by providing access to community gardens but also encourages healthier lifestyles by reducing reliance on cars and increasing physical activity through walking and biking.

The calculation of an overall annual heating and/or cooling consumption reduction using an energy efficiency model is directly related to optimizing the energy performance of infrastructure in the development. This aligns with the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Infrastructure Energy Efficiency. The intent of this credit is to minimize the energy demand and enhance the efficiency of energy systems within the project. By demonstrating a reduction in energy consumption through a model, the project can document compliance with the criteria set forth in this credit, which focuses on energy-efficient infrastructure such as street lighting, public buildings, and central plants.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: The guide specifies that the Infrastructure Energy Efficiency credit involves improving the energy efficiency of infrastructure, which includes heating and cooling systems (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: This reference elaborates on the acceptable methods for documenting energy efficiency improvements, including the use of energy models to demonstrate reduced consumption (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

USGBC Official Website: The website outlines the Green Infrastructure and Buildings category and the Infrastructure Energy Efficiency credit, providing guidance on the use of energy models for credit documentation (USGBC, LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System).

The Green Infrastructure and Buildings Prerequisite for Minimum Building Energy Performance requires buildings to meet certain energy performance standards. For a mixed-use development that includes a 150,000 ft² (13,935 m²) office building, the performance rating method specified by ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010 is the appropriate standard to use. This standardis widely recognized for its stringent energy efficiency criteria and is typically required for projects seeking LEED certification. Other options, like the ENERGY STAR performance rating, are not applicable because they are more commonly used for operational buildings rather than for new construction or major renovations. The prescriptive measures mentioned in the other options are generally used for smaller or simpler buildings.

In LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), avicinity mapis the standardized base map used throughout the submission process to illustrate relevant surrounding features for up to 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) around the project boundary. This map is crucial for demonstrating the context of the project within its surrounding environment, including nearby land uses, transportation networks, and other significant features that could impact the sustainability of the development.

Vicinity Map Purpose:The vicinity map is intended to provide a clear and consistent representation of the project's location and its relationship to the surrounding area. It is used to show how the project connects to nearby neighborhoods, infrastructure, and amenities, which are critical in evaluating the project's sustainability, walkability, and connectivity.

Standardized Submission Requirement:The LEED-ND rating system requires a standardized base map to ensure that all relevant features are consistently represented across different credits and documentation submissions. The vicinity map helps to streamline the review process by providing a uniform reference point for all stakeholders involved in the certification process.

Relevant Features:The map should include key features such as roads, public transit routes, parks, schools, and other community amenities within a 1-mile radius. This helps assess the project's accessibility, potential for reducing automobile dependence, and integration with existing urban or suburban infrastructure.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development outlines the requirements for submission documentation, including the use of standardized maps like the vicinity map.

Additional details can be found in theLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation, which provides guidelines on preparing and using the vicinity map effectively.

Detailed Explanation:References:For further guidance, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

Under the Smart Location and Linkage Credit for Preferred Locations, maximum points are awarded to sites that are both infill and previously developed. This is because such sites typically have better access to existing infrastructure and services, reducing the environmental impact of development. Infill sites help limit urban sprawl, while previously developed sites contribute to the reuse and revitalization of land. Option B meets both criteria, hence earning the maximum points for this credit.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: The guide discusses the criteria for Preferred Locations and the importance of infill and previously developed sites (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: This guide explains the scoring system for the Preferred Locations credit and the benefits of using infill, previously developed sites (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

In the context of solar reflectance, a value of one (1) represents a surface that reflects all solar energy and absorbs none. This is theoretically the maximum solar reflectance possible and is most closely associated with a perfectly reflective white surface. In practice, materials with very high solar reflectance values, close to one, are typically white or very light in color. On the other hand, black has a solar reflectance of nearly zero, meaning it absorbs almost all solar energy. Gray shades have intermediate values depending on their lightness or darkness.

When using the whole building energy modeling option to determine compliance with the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Prerequisite for Minimum Building Energy Performance, the reference standard used is ASHRAE 90.1-2010. This standard provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of buildings, excluding low-rise residential buildings. It is a widely recognized benchmark for energy performance in the United States and is used as the basis for LEED energy modeling requirements.

The Simpson Diversity Index, as applied in LEED for Neighborhood Development, measures the diversity of housing types within a neighborhood. This index is used to assess how varied the housing options are in a community, promoting a mix of housing types to accommodate different household sizes and income levels. A higher diversity of housing types contributes to a more inclusive community, which is a key goal in sustainable neighborhood development. This diversity helps in creating neighborhoods that are adaptable to various socio-economic groups and enhances community resilience.

The LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) Rating System defines a "circulation network" as an interconnected network that includes all travel ways that facilitate the movement of people within a neighborhood. This encompasses motorized, non-motorized, and mixed-mode travel ways that are permanently accessible to the public. The purpose of this network is to ensure a comprehensive and integrated system that supports all modes of transportation, thereby promoting accessibility, safety, and sustainability within the neighborhood. The focus on inclusivity in the definition ensures that all possible methods of transit—whether by foot, bicycle, car, or public transport—are considered part of this network.