LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) hasn't exactly unleashed a flurry of new sustainable, dense development. But, as the economy strengthens, innovative projects in Oakland, Syracuse, and Milwaukee are beginning to take flight.
LEED for Neighborhood Design (LEED-ND) is an innovative program introduced in 2007 that rates entire neighborhoods in terms of sustainability, as opposed to the older LEED program, which rates single buildings. As Urban Land's Brad Berton reports, development of LEED-ND projects has been slowed by the recession. Recently, however, projects have started to take shape in some cities.
"Updates of early activities in three LEED-ND pilot participants-the Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the SALT District in Syracuse, New York; and Tassafaronga Village in Oakland, California-demonstrate that pilot projects have plenty in common but offer considerable contrasts as well," writes Berton. "A common characteristic of initial activity in these three districts is that obsolete or blighted properties are being transformed into functional homes and nonresidential spaces heavy on sustainable elements."
Not only are such projects incorporating sustainability principles into their design, but also those of housing affordability, historic preservation, and public space. For example, Tassafaronga Village in Oakland, California, includes 99 apartments for Section 8 renters, as well as a public park, library, and elementary school.
Berton provides updates on the features and status of each of the three projects.
FULL STORY: LEED for the Neighborhood
Removal Over Reconstruction: Rectifying Crumbling U.S. Highways
Successful urban highway deconstruction projects have swapped highways for boulevards and saw economic, public health, and urban design benefits. Will more cities opt for highway removal programs over reconstruction?
Urban Revitalization Through Highway Teardowns
Alana Semuels, staff writer for The Atlantic, examines highway teardowns beginning with the San Francisco Embarcadero in 1989 to see how they have worked in terms of revitalizing poorer areas or restoring the urban fabric that they destroyed.
Milwaukee Homelessness Dropped in 2024
Bucking national trends, Milwaukee reduced homelessness in 2024 through Housing First policies and supportive services, but local advocates warn high housing costs will likely lead to an increase in the unhoused population in the coming year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service