The Natural Resources Defense Council has prepared a 44-page 'Citizen's Guide' to the green building principles contained in the LEED-Neighborhood Development rating system for the layperson and organizations to apply in their own neighborhoods.
Unlike the actual Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system, designed for professionals to apply for new, green development, the Citizen's Guide is meant to be used by those living in the neighborhood and other groups who want to ensure that new development will improve the community.
"NRDC hopes this handbook for citizens will help promote greater widespread adoption of sustainable practices to create more inclusive, healthy, and environmentally sound places for everyone.
From NRDC smart growth webpage on LEED-ND: "While the formal LEED-ND process is a technical one, the Citizen's Guide is user-friendly and accessible, to help anyone learn the highest environmental standards for green land development and become an advocate for implementing these standards in their own communities. "
From the Guide: "LEED-ND can be used to help you discern whether a proposed development-or even an existing
neighborhood, plan, or policy-rates as a good one when compared to environmental and community criteria. When making this determination, the first question to ask may be the most basic of all: Is this a good place to build something?"
Thanks to John Holtzclaw
FULL STORY: Green Advice for All: A Guide to Neighborhood Development
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