LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities Plan and Design Guide

LEED v4.
1 CITIES AND
COMMUNITIES:
PLAN AND DESIGN
Getting started guide for beta participants
February 1, 2021
Contents
WELCOME TO LEED V4.1 ........................................................................................................................... 5
PROGRAM OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 9
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ................................................................................................................... 12
LEED FOR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES SCORECARD ........................................................................... 14
INTEGRATIVE PROCESS (IP) ................................................................................................................... 16
IP PREREQUISITE: INTEGRATIVE PLANNING AND DESIGN PROCESS ............................................... 16
IP CREDIT: GREEN BUILDING POLICY AND INCENTIVES ..................................................................... 18
NATURAL SYSTEMS AND ECOLOGY (NS) ............................................................................................ 20
NS PREREQUISITE: ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 20
NS PREREQUISITE: CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY POLLUTION PREVENTION ...................................... 22
NS PREREQUISITE: GREEN SPACES ....................................................................................................... 23
NS CREDIT: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION ..................................... 25
NS CREDIT: LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION ......................................................................................... 29
NS CREDIT: RESILIENCE PLANNING ....................................................................................................... 31
TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE (TR) ..............................................................................................34
TR CREDIT: COMPACT, MIXED USE AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ...............................34
TR CREDIT: WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY ....................................................................................... 38
TR CREDIT: ACCESS TO QUALITY TRANSIT .......................................................................................... 41
TR CREDIT: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES ......................................................................................... 44
TR CREDIT: SMART MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY ...................................................... 46
TR CREDIT: HIGH-PRIORITY SITE ............................................................................................................48
WATER EFFICIENCY (WE) ...................................................................................................................... 50
WE PREREQUISITE: INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT ................................................................ 50
WE PREREQUISITE: WATER ACCESS AND QUALITY ........................................................................... 53
WE CREDIT: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................... 56
2 U.S. Green Building Council

WE CREDIT: WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................... 59
WE CREDIT: SMART WATER SYSTEMS .................................................................................................. 61
ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (EN) ............................................................................. 62
EN PREREQUISITE: POWER ACCESS, RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCY ............................................... 62
EN PREREQUISITE: ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT ......................... 65
EN CREDIT: ENERGY EFFICIENCY .......................................................................................................... 68
EN CREDIT: RENEWABLE ENERGY ........................................................................................................ 70
EN CREDIT: LOW CARBON ECONOMY .................................................................................................. 73
EN CREDIT: GRID HARMONIZATION ....................................................................................................... 74
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES (MR) ....................................................................................................... 76
MR PREREQUISITE: CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................ 76
MR PREREQUISITE: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 78
MR CREDIT: ORGANIC WASTE TREATMENT ......................................................................................... 82
MR CREDIT: RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................... 85
MR CREDIT: RESPONSIBLE SOURCING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................ 87
MR CREDIT: SMART WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ........................................................................ 89
QUALITY OF LIFE (QL) ............................................................................................................................. 91
QL PREREQUISITE: DEMOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT ............................................................................... 91
QL PREREQUISITE: SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................... 92
QL PREREQUISITE: ECONOMIC GROWTH ............................................................................................ 94
QL CREDIT: AFFORDABLE HOUSING .....................................................................................................96
QL CREDIT: PUBLIC HEALTH ................................................................................................................... 97
QL CREDIT: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE .................................................................99
INNOVATION (IN) ................................................................................................................................... 100
IN CREDIT: INNOVATION ....................................................................................................................... 100
REGIONAL PRIORITY (RP) ..................................................................................................................... 102

RP CREDIT: REGIONAL PRIORITY ......................................................................................................... 102
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................ 104

Welcome to LEED v4.1
Welcome to the next evolution of LEED for Cities and Communities! Whether you are a seasoned LEED
practitioner, or new to LEED, we encourage you to test out this bigger, stronger, bolder rating system
for your city or community and to be a leader in shaping the future of sustainability performance.
Six key goals have guided the technical development process for the LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities
program:
 inspire leadership
 foster achievement of global goals
 ensure continuity of performance from design to development and operation
 leverage the large portfolio of complementing systems in GBCI portfolio, particularly STAR
 expand the market from buildings to cities and communities
 focus on quality of life of residents and enhance living standards
This version of LEED is the result of countless hours of effort from our volunteers and staff and we are
confident that the rating system meets those goals.
LEED is a global rating system for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green
buildings. For the last 18 years, various versions of LEED have pushed the global green building market
forward progressively, with more than 93,000 registered and certified projects and more than 19 billion
square feet of space worldwide.
Regions and markets move at different paces, and we want to be sure we can meet the needs of
everyone in the green building and sustainability community. LEED v4.1 represents a series of upgrades
that will improve our standards, encourage leadership, and make our platform more user friendly, more
accessible—and most importantly—more collaborative than ever before.
LEED v4.1 will be our most inclusive and transparent platform to date. That is because our most
important requirement for adoption will come from our most valuable resource of all—YOU!
Highlights of LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities
Integrative • The rating system has an overarching prerequisite and a credit. The prerequisite
Process (IP) intends to drive an inclusive process in city or community planning, while the credit
ensures that a majority of buildings in the city or community are green and
sustainable by design.
• The prerequisite on integrative planning and design facilitates teamwork for early
analysis of city systems to derive cost effective, high performance outcomes.
• The credit is a facilitator for green buildings in the city or community. Buildings are
primary constituents of any city or community that can contribute to higher energy
and water consumption, higher waste generation and could lead to environmental
degradation, if not designed and operated sustainably. The design and operation of
green buildings support and contribute to better environmental, social and
economic goals of a city and community. The rating system thus encourages cities
to introduce policies, incentives and programs to encourage design construction
and operation of green buildings certified to LEED or any other equivalent green
building rating system, as an overarching credit.

Ecology and
Natural Systems • Cities depend on nature and ecosystem services to not only sustain life but also
(EN) enhance the quality of life. Ecosystems protect and even regenerate natural
systems, thereby increasing the ecosystem services they provide and creating
ecologically resilient communities. These are better able to withstand and recover
from episodic floods, droughts, wildfires, and other catastrophic events.
• This category consists of prerequisites on Ecosystem Assessment, Construction
Activity Pollution Prevention and Green Spaces, which outline the steps
to analyze and respond to the local ecosystem; prevent or reduce pollution resulting
from construction; cater to minimum green spaces essential for community health
and well-being; and enhance environmental quality.
• Credits on Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration and Light Pollution
Reduction focus on maintaining the integrity of the natural ecosystems and the
necessary steps to conserve and restore ecosystems and to reduce the adverse
impacts of lighting.
• Resilience Planning requires the city to generate awareness about climate risks and
build strategies to effectively tolerate disturbances when faced with shocks and
stresses. It also encourages cities and communities to carry out comprehensive
climate risk assessments and prepare resilience plans.
Transportation • The transport sector is responsible for a quarter of energy-related greenhouse gas
and Land Use (GHG) emissions worldwide. 1 Land use is the key driver of mobility in a city and
(TR) rapid urbanization has disrupted land use patterns, resulting in urban sprawl and
increased dependency on personal, motorized vehicles. This credit category
encourages cities to adopt an integrated approach towards urban planning through
mixed use development, efficient transportation, better connectivity and
engagement with stakeholders.
• This category does not have any prerequisites. The credit on Compact, Mixed Use
and Transit Oriented Development addresses land use and encourages compact
development and access to diverse uses. This in turn discourages urban sprawl and
encourages people to walk or bike thereby improving public health. The Walkability
and Bikeability credit further lays out principles for designing safe walkable and
bikeable cities and communities.
• Access to Quality Transit encourages use of diverse transportation modes to
reduce the reliance on personal vehicles within the city or community. It also
addresses intermodal connectivity for easy access and transition from one mode of
transport to another.
• The credit on Alternative Fuel Vehicles encourages a shift to alternative fuel
vehicles by providing infrastructure such as charging stations for electric vehicles
and through policies and incentives.
• Smart Mobility and Transportation Policy intends to promote efficiency in
operation of transport systems, user facilitation, policies and behavior change to
reduce environmental impacts.
• The High Priority Site credit intends to preserve and revive the urban fabric of a
city by promoting engagement, community development and social and mental
1 https://unfccc.int/news/in-detail-role-of-transport-sector-in-fighting-climate-change. Accessed on April 1, 2019.

wellbeing. It also encourages preservation of historic structures and sites and
focuses on growth and redevelopment for infill and other priority locations.
Water (WE) • Water is the lifeline of any city. However, equity and access have been a major
challenge in many cities. Water demand has been constantly increasing in urban and
peri-urban areas and is stressing freshwater reserves, creating a perennial shortage
of water in these cities. This credit category addresses water at multiple levels –
meeting demand, maintaining water quality, reducing water losses, capturing
stormwater, and managing urban floods.
• There are two prerequisites in this category. The prerequisite for Integrated Water
Management requires reduced freshwater consumption and encourages the shift to
a net zero water city.
• Water Access and Quality requires the implementation of policies and
infrastructure for the equitable supply of quality water to all members of society,
along with the treatment of wastewater and stormwater before it is released into
the environment.
• The credit on Stormwater Management focuses on strategies to capture the
maximum possible quantity of rainwater to reduce runoff volume, prevent erosion,
and flooding, as well as recharge groundwater.
• The credit on Waste Water Management is designed reduce pollution from
wastewater, encourage water reuse and reduce stress on freshwater sources.
• Smart Water Systems encourages cities to improve operational efficiency,
reduction in water losses, and monitoring of water flow within the city through the
use of smart technologies such as smart meters.
Energy and
Greenhouse Gas • Cities consume over two-thirds of the world’s energy and account for more than
Emissions (EN) 70% of global CO2 emissions. 2 City energy systems can play a huge role in
combating climate change. In addition, access to energy is critical in determining
the quality of life of residents. This credit category encourages cities to provide
equitable access to reliable power while simultaneously reducing the adverse
impacts of energy use on environment.
• There are two prerequisites in this category. The second prerequisite is the only
prerequisite in the rating system that carries a score. The prerequisite on Power
Access, Reliability and Resiliency addresses equitable access to a reliable power
supply, along with system resiliency to withstand shocks and stresses.
• The second prerequisite that also has incremental scoring necessitates that the city
or community estimate and limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from proposed
development. The prerequisite on Energy and Emissions Management measures
the GHG emissions per capita.
• The credit on Energy Efficiency focuses on actions for efficient water and
wastewater services to the city, public lighting and district energy systems within
the city.
• The Renewable Energy credit focuses on reducing the environmental impacts
of conventional energy generation through installation of small scale and large-
scale renewables, as well as renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets in
energy procurement.
2
https://www.c40.org/why_cities
• As GHG emissions are driven by a city’s economic activity, the credit on Low
Carbon Economy encourages the city to measure and lower the carbon intensity of
its economy.
• The credit for Grid Harmonization intends to improve operational efficiency of the
energy system and encourage consumer participation in energy use
optimization through the use of advanced technologies and the Internet of Things
(IoT). This section leverages the Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal
(PEER) rating system that evaluates power generation, transmission and distribution
systems.
Materials and • Cities are large aggregators of materials and nutrients, accounting for the highest
Resources (MR) natural resource consumption affecting the environment and human health. The
intent behind this category is to eliminate waste from mainstream consumption and
instead utilize waste as a resource. The development of cities provides opportunities
to drive a global transition from a linear to a circular economy. With their high
concentration of resources, capital, data and skills over a small geographic territory,
cities could greatly benefit from the outcomes of such a transition.
• There are two prerequisites that prepare a new city and community to strive
towards net zero waste and a circular economy through recycling, reuse and
reduction of waste generation. The prerequisite for Construction and Demolition
Waste Management requires cities to reduce the disposal of C&D waste in landfills
and incineration facilities through recovery, reuse, and recycling.
• The Solid waste Management prerequisite requires cities to put up adequate waste
management infrastructure by properly estimating waste generation and diversion.
Maximum diversion from landfills is the prime intent.
• The credits for Organic Waste Management and Recycling Infrastructure prepare
the city or community to manage and treat organic and inorganic waste, so that
there is a minimal load on landfills.
• Responsible Sourcing for Infrastructure encourages use of products and materials
that have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life cycle impacts.
• As in other credit categories, the Smart Waste Management credit promotes
strategies to improve operational efficiency of the waste management system.
Quality of Life • Quality of Life is the general well-being of individuals and populations in the city or
(QL) community. New cities are being developed as economic engines for their
respective countries, thereby creating new jobs in the region. While the livability
aspects of a city are mainly driven by the operations and management, this
category addresses design and planning interventions to promote prosperity,
health, and safety for all.
• This credit category supports better quality of life for future residents. There are
three prerequisites: Demographic Assessment, Social
Infrastructure, and Economic Growth. These prerequisites require the city or
community to assess its population, provision for adequate social infrastructure, and
prepare economic growth pathways.
• The Affordable Housing credit recognizes the importance of providing affordable
housing for all.
• The credit for Public Health assists cities and communities in planning for health-
promoting services and opportunities for all citizens, while the Emergency
Management and Response credit requires sufficient capacity to respond to
emergency incidents and reduce their impacts on human health.

Program Overview
LEED for Cities and Communities is the leading global rating system and certification program for
evaluating the sustainability and quality of life in a city or community. Our program serves as a catalyst
and transformative tool toward more sustainable, equitable and resilient communities around the world.
The rating system encompasses economic, environmental and social performance measures and provides
a clear data-driven approach to benchmark and communicate progress.
Like the suite of LEED rating systems for buildings, LEED for Cities and Communities is designed to be
applicable at all phases of a city’s or community’s lifecycle. New or developing cities, existing cities,
neighborhoods or districts in redevelopment - all are examples of applicable projects. The flexible menu
of standardized metrics and strategies in the rating system can be applied at various levels and stages
of development and allow data to be rolled from the project level all the way up to a city or a larger
regional level. Sustainability strategies can be incorporated more effectively and efficiently at an early
stage of development. Cities can register as early as the conceptual phase and earn precertification.
Cities with a Master Plan that is finalized can achieve full Plan and Design certification. Cities at the
development phase can also apply the Plan and Design rating system. While the evaluation is based on
the Master Plan, these cities are encouraged to undertake additional strategies to ensure that they can
meet the prerequisite requirements. For example, if the city is under development and the master plan
does not meet the prerequisite requirements for green spaces, the city can incorporate innovative
strategies such as vertical gardens or urban rooftop gardens to meet the requirements.
New cities and communities are mostly developed in phases. Projects with phases at various stages of
planning and construction must follow the guidance provided below:
 Precertification: A project must use Plan and Design precertification for the full project.
Precertification is mandatory for these projects.
 Certification:
a. Plan and Design: A project must use the Plan and Design rating system for the phase
that is at planning stage or is constructed less than 75% of its total building floor area.
b. Existing: If the phase is constructed over 75%, it must use the Existing rating system and
must certify after being operational for a minimum period of one year.
LEED for Cities and Communities is performance-driven and includes a verified certification program. The
resulting transparency and accountability of shared metrics and verified performance ensures a new
generation of healthy, inclusive and prosperous places that offer people and businesses an environment
in which to thrive.
This program aligns with our vision that buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the
health and vitality of all life within a generation. If you are designing a new city or community or if you
are a city or community manager, we encourage you to test out this system. The rating system is
intended to help cities and communities manage resources sustainably and provide a better quality of
life for residents and visitors. Lastly, the rating system supports the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals for environmentally-sensitive, socially-responsible and economically-viable
communities.
WHAT IS A CITY OR A COMMUNITY AS DEFINED BY LEED v4.1?
The terms ‘Cities’ and ‘Communities’ are defined for purposes of the rating system as follows:
Cities:  Cities are political jurisdictions or places defined by their municipal public-sector governance
(e.g., mayors or town managers) except in those regions (especially Asia) where the term ‘city’ is
culturally understood as encompassing some places with private sector governance. 
Communities: Communities are defined as every urbanized location that is not a ‘city’ including sub-city
locations such as districts.  In addition, privately developed or owned urban areas (for example, Songdo

District or Rockefeller Center) generally fit within the definition of ‘Community’ except where they are
self-identified (per definition of ‘city’ above) as cities. 
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
LEED for Cities and Communities is flexible so that local governments (counties and municipalities), as
well as the private sector, can use the rating system to achieve their goals. The primary applicant for LEED
for Cities certification is the governing body of a city or municipality. LEED for Communities certification
applies to non-city areas, such as counties, regions, districts, economic zones, neighborhoods, campuses
and military installations.
Examples of LEED for Cities and Communities: Plan and Design applicants include:
• A city manager representing a rapidly growing city
• A private sector planner developing a new city or community
• A local developer working on an eco-district or collection of buildings on an urban site/block
within a mature city
• A housing authority or local group developing a neighborhood
• Townships or large area development projects
• Neighborhood developments
• Large educational, institutional or industrial campuses and communities
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In past three years of working with 140+ cities globally to develop and refine LEED for Cities (through
the LEED for Cities pilot program that precedes this beta and STAR Communities), USGBC and GBCI
have gained immense experience on the system. This has helped us to move to the next level of
technical development. We have now expanded the program to cover new and greenfield cities and
communities in addition to existing cities. Now, with the Plan and Design version of the
system, greenfield cities and communities can incorporate actions, strategies, policies and programs to
perform sustainably.
The beta LEED for Cities and Communities rating system embeds the following inherent guiding
principles in its development trajectory:
LEED Impact categories, UN Sustainable Development Goals and Triple Bottom Line:
• The LEED for Cities and Communities rating system aligns with the seven Impact Categories of
LEED.
• The rating system addresses all of the Sustainable Development Goals set by United Nations in
2015 to help cities achieve global goals.
• It upholds the triple bottom line and addresses social, environmental and financial aspects of a
city.
Future-Ready Cities:
• Requirements in the rating system encourage cities to adopt concepts of being carbon neutral,
water positive, zero waste, human centric and equitable, transit oriented, connected through
smart technologies, and integrated with a circular economy, to name a few.
• Social equity is a critical issue in contemporary cities. Cities and communities are encouraged to
cater to social infrastructure at the design stage to support better quality of life and
community well-being.
Integrated USGBC and GBCI Programs – LEED, STAR, SITES, PEER, LEED for Transit, TRUE:
• LEED for Cities and Communities is aligned with the STAR Community Rating System, LEED for
Neighborhood Development, and other GBCI rating systems such as PEER, TRUE and SITES.
o Integration of a prerequisite or credit from a rating system entails that the intent of the
credit is being met. This can be by (i) referencing the original credit as-is (ii) adapting the
language to fit the city or community scale, (iii) adapting the requirements to fit within
the LEED framework, or (iv) using the same thresholds as the original credit.

Reviewable Requirements:
• Selection of prerequisites and credits is based on their measurability and reviewability.
o For example, Green Spaces has been included as a prerequisite in the Ecology and
Natural Systems credit category, as vegetated area can be measured and reported at
city level and thus can be reviewed.
Building on the Foundations of Global Best Practices:

• The rating system draws upon and references global best management practices wherever
applicable.
o For instance, the Recycling Infrastructure credit has been developed based on the
review and analysis of programs, policies and regulations for
extended producer responsibility, remanufacturing, sustainable consumption and
production, and material recovery.
Applicability at Global Level:

• To ensure global applicability of LEED for Cities and Communities, due consideration has been
given to credit and prerequisite applicability in various geographies.
o National or regional equivalencies, compliance paths, regional priority designations, and
guidance will be developed subsequently.
Encouraging Cities to Adopt Green Buildings:

• The LEED for Cities and Communities program aims to support USGBCs market transformation
goal at two levels. First, it encourages green practices at city scale; and second, at the building
level, it encourages the city to adopt policies and regulations to support sustainability.

What You Need to Know
As a first step in launching LEED v4.1, USGBC released beta versions of each LEED rating system,
allowing the market to work with the draft rating systems and provide feedback based on real-world
application.
USGBC will present LEED v4.1 for public comment, followed by a member ballot. This beta rating
system is not final; feedback from the beta will inform the public comment draft(s). We will update this
document as needed and as more program features become available.
This document is a comprehensive guide to the LEED Cities and Communities: Plan and Design v4.1 beta
program. The v4.1 Beta Guide contains guidance sections for basic usability and there shall be detailed
reference guide available in due course of time. The rating systems such as PEER V2, Star Communities,
Sites, LEED ND are referenced in several credits. Projects are encouraged to access these systems and
respective reference guides to get further details and guidance.
LEED CITIES AND COMMUNITIES V4.1 CERTIFICATION

 Registration
o Your first step is to confirm eligibility and select the appropriate rating system.
o Next, register your project under the selected LEED Cities and Communities v4.1 beta
rating system in LEED Online at lo.usgbc.org.
o For registration fees, view our detailed fees table at usgbc.org.
 Certification
o To complete your application for certification you will need to upload required
documentation and/or provide requested information (for each prerequisite / credit
being pursued).
o In addition to documentation for specific prerequisites and credits, you need to submit
the following documents to provide general information about the city or community:
o Master Plan highlighting LEED boundary: Master plan of the city or community
highlighting the LEED boundary that will receive a performance score and LEED
for Cities and Communities certification.
o Governance structure: Entities responsible for designing strategies that lead to
the outcomes impacting the LEED score.
o USGBC population calculator: Total population of the city or community. This
should be inclusive of floating or transient population commuting daily for
employment, education or other purposes.
o GBCI, the certification body for the LEED rating system, will perform the beta
certification reviews, in accordance with the Guide to Certification for Cities and
Communities.
Total 110 points are available. A minimum of 40 points are required for certification. LEED has four levels
of certification, depending on the point thresholds achieved:
• Certified: 40-49 points
• Silver: 50-59
• Gold: 60-79
• Platinum: 80+
PRECERTIFICATION REVIEW
You may choose to pursue precertification ahead of full certification if you would like additional support
and formal recognition up-front. This is an optional review pathway available for a fee for LEED for
Cities and Communities: Plan and Design projects that focusses on intended design and construction
strategies. We offer precertification prior to a full certification application to help you determine which
credits and prerequisites your project is likely to achieve during the full review, as well as attract
tenants, businesses, developers, financiers, and even permitting benefits in certain localities. If you are
interested in pursuing precertification, select this option after registration in LEED Online within the
Timeline tab. Achieve precertification by completing the LEED Precertification Worksheet that is

provided in LEED Online, marking prerequisites and credits as attempted, and submitting the project
for review.
LEED for Cities and Communities v4.1 precertification expires after three years.
RECERTIFICATION
All certified projects are strongly encouraged to pursue recertification once it is available.

LEED for Cities and Communities Scorecard
LEED for Cities and Communities Cities Communities
INTEGRATIVE PROCESS POSSIBLE: 5 POSSIBLE: 5
Prerequisite Integrative Planning and Design Process REQUIRED REQUIRED

Credit Green Building Policy and Incentives 5 5
NATURAL SYSTEMS & ECOLOGY POSSIBLE: 13 POSSIBLE: 13
Prerequisite Ecosystem Assessment REQUIRED REQUIRED

Prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention REQUIRED REQUIRED
Prerequisite Green Spaces REQUIRED REQUIRED
Credit Natural Resources Conservation and Restoration 5 5
Credit Light Pollution Reduction 2 2
Credit Resilience Planning 6 6
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE POSSIBLE: 18 POSSIBLE: 18

Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented
Credit 6 6
Development
Credit Walkability and Bikeability 4 4
Credit Access to Quality Transit 2 2
Credit Alternative Fuel Vehicles 2 2
Credit Smart Mobility and Transportation Policy 2 2
Credit High Priority Site 2 2
WATER EFFICIENCY POSSIBLE: 12 POSSIBLE: 12
Prerequisite Integrated Water Management REQUIRED REQUIRED

Prerequisite Water Access and Quality REQUIRED REQUIRED
Credit Stormwater Management 5 5
Credit Wastewater Management 5 5
Credit Smart Water Systems 2 2
ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS POSSIBLE: 31 POSSIBLE: 31
Prerequisite Power Access, Reliability and Resiliency REQUIRED REQUIRED

Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Prerequisite 15 19
Management
Credit Energy Efficiency 4 4
Credit Renewable Energy 6 6

Credit Low Carbon Economy 4
Credit Grid Harmonization 2 2
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES POSSIBLE: 11 POSSIBLE: 11
Prerequisite Construction and Demolition Waste Management REQUIRED REQUIRED

Prerequisite Solid Waste Management REQUIRED REQUIRED
Credit Organic Waste Treatment 2 2
Credit Recycling Infrastructure 5 5
Credit Responsible Sourcing for Infrastructure 2 2
Credit Smart Waste Management Systems 2 2
QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE: 10 POSSIBLE: 10
Prerequisite Demographic Assessment REQUIRED REQUIRED

Prerequisite Social Infrastructure REQUIRED REQUIRED
Prerequisite Economic Growth REQUIRED REQUIRED
Credit Affordable Housing 2 2
Credit Public Health 6 6
Credit Emergency Management and Response 2 2
INNOVATION POSSIBLE: 6 POSSIBLE: 6

Credit Innovation 6 6
REGIONAL PRIORITY POSSIBLE: 4 POSSIBLE: 4
Credit Regional Priority 4 4
TOTAL 110 110
40- 49 Points 50-59 Points 60-79 Points 80+ Points
CERTIFIED SILVER GOLD PLATINUM

INTEGRATIVE PROCESS (IP)
IP Prerequisite: Integrative Planning and Design
Process
Required
This prerequisite applies to
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To support high-performance, cost-effective city outcomes through an early analysis of the
interrelationships among city systems.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Use inter-disciplinary teams and at a minimum, ensure the following processes are followed:
1. Comprehensive plan: Prepare a plan which will include vision, mission, key goals and objectives of
the city or community.
2. LEED for Cities or Communities team: Assemble and convene an interdisciplinary, cross-
departmental project team. Include diverse team members from at a minimum three of the following
areas of expertise.
 Development Authority
 Urban / Master Planning and Design
 Engineering (Energy and Power; Hydrology; Transportation; Waste)
 Economic Development
 Urban Ecologist, Biologist or Landscape Architect
 Construction Management
 Human Services
 Education / School Board
 Sustainability / Resilience Officer
 Data Officer / Information Technology
Include any other experts or stakeholders as relevant to the city or community. Conduct regular
meetings with the integrative project team to review project status, introduce new team members
to project goals, discuss problems, formulate solutions, review responsibilities, and identify next
steps.
3. Preliminary rating goals: As early as practical and preferable before master planning, conduct a
preliminary LEED meeting with a minimum of three key project team members and the City
Development Authority. As part of the meeting, create a LEED action plan to determine the LEED
certification level to pursue (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum), identifying the potential LEED
credits to be attempted and identifying the responsible parties to ensure the LEED requirements for
each prerequisite and selected credit are met.
4. Design Charrette: As early as practical and preferably before master plan approval, conduct a
design charrette with the project team as defined above and representatives of the citizens who will
get impacted by the project. The goal is to optimize the integration of green strategies across all
aspects of city planning and design, construction and operation, drawing on the expertise of all
participants.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
All over the world, urban areas are experiencing rapid growth, and it is projected that 60% of the
world’s population will be living in urban settings by 2030. Cities are closely connected to economic
growth, producing over 75% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 75% of carbon dioxide
emissions, while consuming 75% of global natural resources. Cities have a leadership opportunity to
pioneer ways of living that strengthen ecosystems and promote high social and economic welfare. A
comprehensive, integrative process accounts for the interaction of all buildings and systems, relying on
an iterative cycle of analysis, stakeholder feedback, implementation, and performance tracking. This
prerequisite facilitates teamwork for early analysis of city systems to derive cost-effective, high-
performance outcomes.
Further Explanation
Required Documentation
All cities and

Documentation
communities
Narrative describing comprehensive plan that will include vision, mission, key goals
X
and objectives of the city or community
Narrative addressing prerequisite requirements for the LEED for Cities or
X
Communities project team and Design Charrette.
Action plan from preliminary rating goals. X
Exemplary Performance
This prerequisite is not eligible for exemplary performance.

IP Credit: Green Building Policy and Incentives
This credit applies to
 Cities (1-5 points)
 Communities (1-5 points)
Intent
To encourage the design, construction, and retrofit of buildings using green building practices.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Buildings Owned and/or Operated by the Local Government or Development Authority
(1-2 points)
Register and certify buildings, above 5000 square feet (465 square meter), owned by the local
government or development authority to LEED, EDGE or an equivalent green building 3 rating system.
Points are awarded as per the table given below.
Table 1. Points for certified green buildings
Percentage of buildings registered to certify to LEED or

Points
equivalent green building rating system
51% to 75 % 1
Greater than 75% 2
AND/OR
Option 2. Green Building Policy and Incentives (1-4 points)
Provide incentives for LEED or an equivalent green building rating system in the city. (1 point per
incentive provided; up to 4 points can be achieved through this option.)
• Structural Incentives: Provide expedited review or permitting processes to buildings achieving

certification.
• Structural Incentives: Provide density or height bonus allowing for percentage increases in Floor
Area Ratio or other measures of density contingent upon certification.
• Financial Incentives: Provide tax credits for buildings achieving certification.
• Financial Incentives: Provide permitting fee reduction or waivers for buildings achieving
certification.
3Green building rating systems should address energy, water, waste, sustainable sites, location and transportation
and human health.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Cities cover 2% of the world’s land area but they account for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. 30% of
emissions are generated by buildings, the building blocks of cities. 4 Similarly, buildings impact resource
consumption, ecological systems, and human health and well-being. Hence, green buildings are an
essential component of a city’s strategy towards sustainable development. The LEED for Cities rating
system is targets macro-level strategies. Green buildings support the micro-level strategies to help cities
be more sustainable. Green public buildings help the city lead by example, and green building policies
and incentives ensure alignment of future development with the city’s long-term strategy.
Further Explanation
Documentation Option 1 Option 2
List of buildings above 5000 square feet (465 square meters), owned by
X
the local government or development authority
Calculations demonstrating achievement of the point threshold X
Documentation supporting registration and /or certification of buildings
X
to be owned by the local government or development authority
Documentation supporting green building policy and incentives or
X
programs
This credit is not eligible for exemplary performance.
4
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/urban-expeditions/green-buildings/benefits-of-
green-buildings-human-health-economics-environment/
NATURAL SYSTEMS AND ECOLOGY (NS)
NS Prerequisite: Ecosystem Assessment
Required
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To assess the existing ecosystem conditions and services provided by ecosystems, built landscapes,
and other open spaces to inform the city development along with conservation and restoration efforts.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Complete and document an ecosystem assessment for the entire city or community boundary that
includes the following topics:
1. Topography- Contour mapping, unique topographic features, slope stability risks.
2. Soils- Natural Resources Conservation Service soils delineation, U.S. Department of Agriculture
prime farmland, unique farmland or farmland of statewide or local importance, healthy soils, soils
disturbed by previous development and degree of disturbance (local equivalent standards may be
used for cities or communities outside the U.S.).
3. Vegetation and Habitat- Total existing vegetated area, primary vegetation types, native plants and
plant communities, significant tree mapping, identification of top three threatened species as per
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 5 or local or regional standards, habitat for threatened or
endangered species, unique habitat, identification of top three invasive plant species and mapping
of degraded vegetation and habitats as applicable.
4. Hydrology and aquatic ecosystems- Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) as determined by FEMA’s
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) (or local equivalent for cities or communities outside the U.S.),
wetlands, lakes, streams, shorelines; Precipitation, rainwater collection and reuse opportunities
including overland water flow, water quality, watershed health, potable and non-potable water
sources; Pollution sources and pollutants. Map areas with degraded aquatic ecosystems as
applicable.
Explain how the identified conditions and resources will influence the sustainable design.
Note: Not all topics apply to every area, and each city may contain additional important unique
elements that are not explicitly addressed here.
References:
LEED v4 BD+C SS Credit: Site Assessment
SITES v2 Section 2: Pre-Design Assessment + Planning
5
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ , accessed on December 17, 2018.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
An ecosystem assessment evaluates environmental features that the cities and communities should take
into consideration. It identifies assets, such as favorable wetlands, lakes, streams, shorelines, steep
slopes and healthy plant populations, as well as liabilities, such as unhealthy soils, blighted structures,
pollution sources, and poor water quality. Performing an ecosystem assessment is part of an integrative
planning process to account for a site’s ecological context. This assessment must address the city or
community’s topography, soil, vegetation and habitat. Moreover, hydrology and aquatic ecosystems are
important because they can significantly influence the city strategy and performance.
Further Explanation
All cities and

Documentation
communities
Annotated ecosystem assessment report highlighting sections addressing all of the
X
required topics
Overlay maps for each of the ecological systems X
Narrative describing how the findings of the ecosystem assessment have informed
X
the planning and design

NS Prerequisite: Construction Activity Pollution
Prevention
Required
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation,
and airborne dust.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Create and implement an erosion and sedimentation control plan for all construction activities, including
but not limited to construction of roads and highways, transit systems, water and wastewater systems,
energy systems, waste management systems, buildings to be undertaken by the city development
authorities. The plan must conform to the erosion and sedimentation requirements of the 2017 U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Construction General Permit (CGP) or local equivalent,
whichever is more stringent. Projects must apply the CGP regardless of size. The plan must describe the
measures to be implemented.
Reference:
LEED BD+C v4 SS Prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This prerequisite promotes environmental protection measures that reduce construction disturbances to
neighboring land areas, rainwater systems, and the city or community itself. To ensure that all projects
implement erosion and sedimentation control (ESC) measures during construction, the credit applies a
U.S.-based national standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) construction general
permit (CGP). Local jurisdictions typically look to this standard when writing their own code
requirements and adopt ESC measures that are applicable to local soils, weather, natural waterways,
and municipal rainwater systems. Therefore, cities or communities that follow local codes derived from
the CGP can often demonstrate compliance with the prerequisite; projects outside the U.S. can use a
local equivalent.
Further Explanation
All cities and

Documentation
communities
Erosion and sedimentation control plan X
NS Prerequisite: Green Spaces
Required
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To provide accessible green spaces that positively impact physical, mental and psychological health and
well-being of the community while also enhancing the environmental quality.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Meet all of the following requirements:
 Provide a minimum of 121 square feet per person (11.25 square meter per person) of green space
within the city.

 90% of the dwelling units must have a green space within 1/2 mile (800 meters) walkable distance.
Adopt either or combination of both of the following criteria to meet the requirement.
o Walkable access to a public park.
o Adopt building ordinance to the effect that residential areas which are not within walkable
distance of a public park should provide an equivalent of 121 square feet per person (11.25
square meter per person) of green space within walkable distance.
Green space is defined as land that is partly or completely covered with trees, shrubs, grass or other
vegetation. This includes urban parks, trails and community farms or gardens 6 including roof top
gardens. This does not include schoolyards, playgrounds, public seating areas, public plazas or vacant
lots.
Areas allocated for urban agriculture under QL Credit: Public Health may be included to meet the
requirements of this credit.
References:
LEED v4 ND NPD Credit: Access to Civic and Public Space
STAR Communities V2 BE-6: Public Parkland, Outcome 2: Proximity
6
Adopted from United States Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘What is Open Space / Green Space?’ retrieved from
https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/openspace.html , accessed on December 17, 2018.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Green spaces provide important community-building space for people to gather, play, exercise,
celebrate, learn, relax, reflect, and enjoy nature and city life. Recent estimates show that physical
inactivity, linked to poor walkability and lack of access to recreational areas, accounts for 3.3% of global
deaths. 7 Green spaces also are important to mental health. Having access to green spaces can reduce
health inequalities, improve well-being, and support mental wellness. Some analysis suggests that
physical activity in a natural environment can help remedy mild depression and reduce physiological
stress indicators. 8
Further Explanation
All cities and

Documentation
communities
Master Plan with mapping of green spaces and schedule and/or table listing the
X
green spaces along with area of each.
Calculations demonstrating achievement of prerequisite threshold X
Narrative describing how the requirement for 90% of the dwelling units having a
X
green space within 1/2 mile (800 meters) walkable distance is met.
Policy, regulation or building ordinance to the effect that residential areas which are
not within walkable distance of a public park should provide an equivalent of 121
X
square feet per person (if any of the residential areas which are not within
walkable distance of a public park)
7 https://www.who.int/sustainable-development/cities/health-risks/urban-green-space/en/ Accessed on March 23,

2019
8 https://www.who.int/sustainable-development/cities/health-risks/urban-green-space/en/ Accessed on March 23,
2019
NS Credit: Natural Resources Conservation and
Restoration
Intent
To conserve and restore the natural resources within the city.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Natural Resource Acreage (3 points)
Path 1. Maintain natural resource 9 acreage at 80 square meters per capita (861 square feet per capita).
OR
Path 2. Maintain natural resource acreage at 11.5% or more of total jurisdictional land area.
Reference:
STAR Communities V2 NS-3: Natural Resource Protection Outcome 1: Natural Resource Areas
Natural resource areas include but are not limited to critical aquifer recharge areas; deserts and arid
lands; fish or wildlife habitat, natural deltas or floodplains, steep slopes, natural parkland, forests,
geologically hazardous areas, grasslands and prairies, habitats of endangered and threatened species,
shorelines and their buffers, streams and their buffers and wetlands. Green spaces as defined under NS
Prerequisite: Green Spaces can be included within the Natural Resource Acreage.
AND / OR
Option 2. Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration Plan 10 (2 points)

Adopt a Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration Plan within the last five years or develop one
based on the study carried out under NS Prerequisite: Ecosystem Assessment to meet requirements of
ANY two features of the ecosystems present within the city or community. Adopt policies or regulations
to support the execution of the Plan.
1. Steep Slopes:
9
Natural resource areas include but are not limited to critical aquifer recharge areas; deserts and arid lands; fish or wildlife habitat,
natural deltas or floodplains, steep slopes, natural parkland, forests, geologically hazardous areas, grasslands and prairies, habitats
of endangered and threatened species, shorelines and their buffers, streams and their buffers; and wetlands.
10 In lieu of a consolidated Natural Resources and Conservation Plan, cities and communities may provide individual
plans, ordinances, regulations or policies to demonstrate compliance to credit requirements.

 Do not permit development on slopes greater than 40% and do not disturb portions of the land
area within 50 feet (15 meters) horizontally of the top of the slope and 75 feet (23 meters)
horizontally from the toe of the slope.
 For undeveloped slopes from 26% to 40%, development can be permitted on 40% of the area.
 For undeveloped slopes from 15% to 25%, development can be permitted on 60% of the area.
 For previously developed slopes (above 15%) restore a minimum of 50% of the slopes with
native vegetation or noninvasive adaptive plants within a period of 5 years.
OR
If construction is permitted on steep slopes (greater than 15%), adopt a regulation to the effect that
development permits and building permits will only be issued after review of the following for each
project:
 A general site survey, topographic and land feature survey along with geotechnical evaluation.
 A grading plan that indicates a clear feasibility for roads, driveways and building envelop
without massive manipulation of the site.
 A tree and vegetation plan.
 A drainage management plan.
 An erosion control plan that avoids massive manipulation of the site.
 An Environmental Inventory and Assessment to identify environmentally sensitive areas and
features to be protected, and to measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate environmental impacts
of the proposed development and development activities.
Reference:
LEED v4 ND SLL Credit: Steep Slope Protection
2. Agricultural land and food production:

Do not disturb prime farmland, unique farmland, or farmland of statewide or local importance as
defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5
and identified in a state Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey (or local equivalent for
projects outside the U.S.).
Reference:
LEED v4 ND SLL Prerequisite: Agricultural Land Conservation
OR
If the development footprint affects farmland of any category, mitigate the loss by providing
alternative area for farming such as rooftop farming or vertical farming in the ratio of 2:1 (i.e. two
square meters of alternative area for every one square meter farmland affected). In addition, plan
for farmer’s markets or supermarket or grocery stores with a produce section in residential areas
that will be within 1/2 mile (800 meter) walking distance.
3. Vegetation and Habitat:

 If the site has any threatened or endangered species or ecological communities, as identified
during the ecosystem assessment, comply with an approved habitat conservation plan under
the U.S. Endangered Species Act (or local equivalent for cities outside the U.S.) for each
identified species or ecological community.

 Conserve any Significant Habitat 11 present within the city.
 Adopt or enforce an ordinance requiring control of the top three most damaging invasive
species or enact a preferred plant ordinance for private and public landscaping.
 Restore degraded vegetation and habitats within the city, identified during the Ecosystem
Assessment. Restoration strategies must be developed based on Society for Ecological
Restoration Science & Policy Working Group. 2002, The SER Primer on Ecological Restoration,
Section 3, Attributes of Restored Ecosystems 12.
References:
SLL Prerequisite: Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities Conservation
LEED v4 ND SLL Credit: Site Design for Habitat or Wetland and Water Body Conservation
SITES v2 Prerequisite 4.2: Control and manage invasive plants
SITES v2 Credit 4.4: Conserve healthy soils and appropriate vegetation
SITES v2 Credit 4.5: Conserve special status vegetation
SITES v2 Credit 4.8: Optimize biomass
STAR Communities v2 Action 2: Policy and Code Adjustment
4. Aquatic Ecosystems:
Do not permit any development within limits specified below except for minor improvements or
comply with equivalent local or national regulations.
 Shorelines and coastal areas: Within 200 feet (61 meters) from normal high tide line.
 Floodplains, rivers and streams: A flood hazard area shown on a legally adopted flood hazard
map or otherwise legally designated by the local jurisdiction or the state or entirely outside any
floodplain subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
 Wetlands: Within 50 feet (15 meter) of a wetland, except for minor improvements.
 Water bodies: Within 100 feet (30 meters) of a water body which is greater than 50 contiguous
acres (20 hectares) and within 50 feet (15 meters) for waterbodies less than 50 contiguous
acres (20 hectares).
 Restore degraded aquatic ecosystems identified during the Ecosystem Assessment. Restoration
strategies must be developed based on Society for Ecological Restoration Science & Policy
Working Group. 2002, The SER Primer on Ecological Restoration, Section 3, Attributes of
Restored Ecosystems.
References:
LEED v4 ND SLL Prerequisite: Wetland and Water Body Conservation
SITES v2 Prerequisite 1.3: Conserve aquatic ecosystems
SITES v2 Credit 3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems
OR
Demonstrate a local Watershed Health Index of greater than or equal to 70.
Reference:
11 Significant Habitat for the purpose of this prerequisite is defined as (i) locally or regionally significant habitat of any
size, or patches of predominantly native vegetation at least 150 acres (60 hectares) (even if part of the area lies
outside the project boundary) (ii) Special status plants which include plants designated as special status in the
region. These plants may include, but are not limited to, heritage or legacy trees, specimen trees (as designated by a
local tree board), rare vegetation in a unique habitat, and unusual genetic variants of a particular species; and any (iii)
habitat flagged for conservation under a regional or state conservation or green infrastructure plan.
12
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/LittonC/PDFs/682_SERPrimer.pdf , accessed on December 17, 2018.
STAR Communities V2 NS-5: Water in the Environment Outcome 1: Watershed Health Index
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Ecosystems around the world have been impacted extensively by human influence, particularly over the
past 50 years. In response, communities are taking action to protect and restore natural systems and
maintain ecosystem services. Natural systems provide a wide range of services for human populations,
such as clean water, food, forest products, and flood control. Cities and communities demonstrate
leadership conservation and restoration by establishing robust natural resource protection goals and
implementing strategies that improve the quality of natural resource areas. 13 At times, cities must weigh
trade-offs between protecting ecological services in undeveloped areas while also managing land to
prevent urban sprawl and overcrowding.
Further Explanation
Natural
Natural Resource
Documentation Resource Conservation
Acreage and Restoration
Plan
Master Plan with mapping of natural resources and schedule and/or
X
table listing the natural resource type and area of each.
Calculations demonstrating achievement of point threshold X
Natural Resource Conservation and Restoration Plan highlighting the
X
sections demonstrating the achievement of the listed requirements
Supporting documentation for each of the ecological systems (as
X
applicable)
13 STAR Communities V2.0 Technical Guide, NS-3: Natural Resource Protection

NS Credit: Light Pollution Reduction
• Cities (2 points)
• Communities (2 points)
Intent
Minimize negative effects on nocturnal environments and human health and functioning, reduce sky-
glow, and increase nighttime visibility by reducing light trespass within the city.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Street lighting in the city or community must meet the requirements of Section 9. Recommendations on
sky glow limits of CIE 126 -1997, Guidelines for Minimizing Sky Glow or local equivalent.
AND
CITIES
Adopt a lighting ordinance for the city conforming to the Section II to VI of the Model Lighting
Ordinance (MLO), 2011 14 developed jointly by the International Dark Sky Association and Illuminating
Engineering Society.
Reference:
STAR Communities BE-1: Ambient Noise & Light
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light, known as light pollution, can have serious environmental
consequences for humans, wildlife, and the climate. Components of light pollution include glare,
skyglow, light trespass, and clutter. Much of outdoor lighting used at night is inefficient, overly bright,
poorly targeted, improperly shielded, and, in many cases, completely unnecessary. This light, and the
electricity used to create it, is being wasted rather than being focused on targeted areas that need to be
illuminated. Moreover, artificial lights disrupt the natural light patterns and the delicate balance of our
environment. A growing body of evidence links the brightening night sky directly to measurable
negative impacts including disrupting the ecosystem and wildlife and harming human health 15. The
credit requires compliance with standards to reduce light pollution and limit its negative effects.
Further Explanation
14
http://darksky.org/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/16_MLO_FINAL_JUNE2011.PDF , accessed on December 17, 2018.
15 https://www.darksky.org/light-pollution/ accessed on March 24, 2019
All cities and

Documentation
communities
Declaration from development authority or electrical / energy engineer stating
X
street lighting will meet the requirements from the listed standard.
Narrative explaining the lighting type and design for various types of streets X
X
Lighting ordinance for the city
(cities only)

NS Credit: Resilience Planning
 Cities (6 points)
 Communities (6 points)
Intent
To strengthen the resilience of communities to climate change risks, natural and man-made hazards and
extreme events.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Vulnerability and capacity assessment (3 points)

Identify the local environmental context and conduct a vulnerability and capacity assessment for
climate change risks, natural and man-made hazards and extreme events as described in the table
below. Map the impact (affected groups and sectors) of these events against the planned socio
economic profile, urban health and urban infrastructure.
Table 2. Classification of impacts for Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment
Natural Man-made
Geo Physical Earthquake Social Complex
Landslide Emergencies/Conflicts
Tsunami Displaced Populations
Volcanic Activity Technological Cyber Attack
Hydrological Avalanches Infrastructure failure
Flood Industrial Fire
Climatological Extreme Temperatures Explosion
Drought Accidents
Wildfires Transport Accidents On Road, Air,
Railway, Maritime
Extreme heat/ cold Pollution Air and water
Heat Island Effect
Meteorological Cyclones
Storms/Wave Surges
Biological Disease Epidemics
Requirements for vulnerability and capacity assessment:
• Risk Identification- Identify the impacts from which an area is at risk. Use national/state level maps
and historic data of occurrence to identify the potential threats.
• Risk Assessment- Estimate the probability of occurrence of the extreme events. Study their
characteristics, frequency and potential severity. Conduct a socio-economic and environmental
assessment of the impact.
• Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment- Assess the most exposed and affected sections of the
city or community.

• Adaptation and Mitigation Goal- Set goals based on the vulnerability and capacity assessment.
Highlight threats having maximum damage potential and most vulnerable areas that require
mitigation strategies. The goal should address the top two natural and top two man-made hazards.
AND
Resilience Plan (3 points)

Develop Resilience Plan for the city or community. The plan should meet at least two of the following
requirements:
• Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies: Adaptation and Mitigation strategies to address the goals
identified under Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment above.
• Fundamental Emergency planning and preparedness: Access to basic needs: First aid, emergency
supplies, water, food communication, temporary shelter.
• Early Warning Systems: Strategies for early warning systems during the extreme event.
Demonstrate at least one early warning system in practice.
• Critical Infrastructure: Operation of critical facilities during the extreme event and post-event
rehabilitation. Map and reduce over time any critical infrastructure that is located in designated
high-risk areas.
• Policy Intervention: Incorporate building structure resilience in building regulations in order to
withstand the potential damage due to extreme events.
• Meet the requirements of PEER v2 Rating System 16, RR Credit: Damage and Exposure Prevention to
achieve a minimum of 2 points. (Appendix 1)
References:
RELI v1: Risk Adaptation + Mitigation for Acute Events
STAR v2 CE-1: Climate Adaptation
STAR v2 HS-6: Hazard Mitigation
PEER V2 RR Credit: Damage and Exposure Prevention
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Common signs of climate change include higher annual average temperatures, rising sea levels, and
extreme weather. Serious impacts of climate change may involve flooding, drought, prolonged heat
waves, and/or increased frequency of dangerous storm events. Such impacts can radically shift
ecosystems, destabilize economies, and threaten quality of life. Climate change exacerbates the stress
on already-strained infrastructure systems. Communities that make the choice to address future
stresses and shocks from climate impacts today are likely to save money and experience a safer,
healthier community now and in the future.
Further Explanation
Vulnerability
Documentation and capacity Resilience Plan
assessment
16 http://peer.gbci.org/sites/default/files/resources/PEER-v2-Rating-System.pdf , accessed on December

17, 2018.
Narrative describing the risks identified and assessed, vulnerability
and capacity assessment along with adaptation and mitigation X
goals for each of the top two natural and manmade hazards.
Annotated resilience plan clearly highlighting the sections within
the plan that demonstrate achievement of at least two of the X
listed requirements.

TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE (TR)
TR Credit: Compact, Mixed Use and Transit
Oriented Development

Intent
To encourage compact and mixed use development, high levels of connectivity and daily walking,
biking, and transit use.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Design Compact and Complete Centers (CCCs) on the master plan or land use map of the city or
community. CCCs are measured as areas within a ½ mile (800 meters) walking distance of a central
point that represent a strong mix of uses, public transit availability, density, and walkability. CCCs may
overlap. The CCCs should support mixed use development which is internally and/or contextually
complementary, is densely populated and has internal and surrounding connectivity.
Meet the following requirements:
1. Population Density (1-2 points)

Demonstrate that the majority of estimated population of the city or community resides within CCCs.
Cities are awarded points per the table below.
Table 3. Percentage of population residing in CCC
Percentage of population
residing within CCCs (Total Points
of all CCCs)
40% to 69% 1
70% and above 2
2. Complementary Uses 17 (2 points)

Demonstrate that each CCC has a balanced mix of uses and activities such as residential (high, medium
and low density), commercial and institutional, accessible and usable open areas 18 and others in each
CCC.
17
TOD guidelines, ITDP
18
Open areas may include green spaces and open community spaces such as plazas and squares.
Define land use mix in all CCCs as internally complementary and/or contextually complementary.
 Internally complementary development

o Residential uses between 15% and 85% of the total planned floor area and is complemented by
other use types within the CCC.
AND/ OR
 Contextually complementary development

o More than 50% of the total planned floor area is dedicated to uses that balance the category of
uses predominant in surrounding transit station catchment area 19 or adjacent CCC within the
project boundary.
3. Access to Transit Facilities and Diverse Uses 20 (2 points)

Design CCCs to ensure that all residential and non-residential buildings are within ½ mile (800 meters)
walking distance of an existing or planned mass transit station such as bus rapid transit stops, passenger
rail stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail) or commuter ferry terminals or within ¼ mile (400
meters) walking distance of an existing or planned bus, streetcar or informal transit stops that connects
to a mass rapid transit station or a pulse point 21 within 3 miles (5 kilometers) and within ¼ mile (400
meters) walking distance of at least 10 planned diverse uses (see Appendix 1). Diverse uses provided
should reflect the planned socioeconomic profile (income, demographics, race and ethnicity) of the
CCC.
The following restrictions apply:

 A use may be counted as only one use type (e.g., a retail store may be counted only once even if it
sells products in several categories).
 No more than two uses in each use type may be counted (e.g., if five restaurants are within the
required distance, only two may be counted).
 The uses accessible to each counted dwelling unit must represent at least two categories.
AND
At least 75% of all residential and non-residential buildings outside the identified CCC are within ¼ mile
(400 meters) walking distance of an existing or planned bus, streetcar or informal transit stops that
connects to a CCC’s mass rapid transit station or a pulse point within 3 miles (5 kilometers).
19Station catchment area is defined as area that is within walking distance of 1/3 mile (500 meters) up to a maximum
walking distance of 3/5 miles (1000 meters) from the rapid transit station entrance to the entrance of the final
destination (doorstep of a building). The 3/5 miles (1000 meters) represents a walking time of approximately 20
minutes at the average urban speed of 3 km/h (including waits at intersections). A single station catchment area can
cover close to 3.14 km2 (but usually somewhat less since walking distance, not radius, is considered). For further
details, refer to TOD Guidelines by ITDP, page 109.
Similarly, an adjacent CCC should be within walking distance of 1/3 mile (500 meters) up to a maximum walking
distance of 3/5 miles (1000 meters) from the CCC in consideration.
20TOD guidelines, ITDP

21
Pulse point is a transport node where multiple modes of transport may converge or pass through with each of
them having a defined frequency and are coordinated with each other.
References:
STAR BE-3 Compact & Complete Communities
LEED v4 ND NPD credit: Mixed-Use Neighborhoods
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit addresses high-level urban planning of the city or community. It encourages development in
compact, human-scaled, walkable, and universally-accessible centers and neighborhoods that connect
to public transit and offer diverse uses and services. The credit promotes street networks that are
comfortable, safe, uninterrupted, and accessible for all people regardless of age, ability, and other
factors. Cities and communities with dense, compact, and mixed-use development are able to contain
urban sprawl, reduce dependency on motorized vehicles, encourage walking and bicycling, and reduce
vehicular emissions.
Further Explanation
3. Access
All cities 2.
1. to transit
and Comple
Documentation Population facilities
communit mentary
density and diverse
ies uses
uses
Master plan with land use showing CCCs with
radius of ½ mile (800 meters) walking distance X
from a central point
Documentation to demonstrate achievement of
thresholds on percentage of total population X
residing in CCCs
Master plan with land use showing percentage
of area under residential use and area under
other land use types such as commercial,
X
institutional and other (as applicable)
complementing the residential use type, for all
CCCs
Description of achievement of internally and
X
contextually complementary uses for all CCCs
Master plan showing location of residential and
non-residential buildings within and outside
CCC, walking routes with distance from farthest X
buildings to the planned or existing transit
stations and/or stops and location of use types
Description of socioeconomic profile of all
X
CCCs that is reflected in selected use types
Demonstrate achievement of various credits (as applicable) in Transportation and Land Use category
for sample CCCs identified using following methodology.
On master plan show key zones or neighborhoods based on zip code, various land use types
such as residential, commercial, institutional and others (as applicable) and sample CCCs with
radius of ½ mile (800 meters) walking distance from a central point for each zone. Number of
sample CCCs in each zone should be based on following table that specifies minimum number
of sample CCCs for various jurisdictional population range:

1. For population of more than 1 million, show 10 sample CCCs
2. For population of 750,000 to 1 million, show 9 sample CCCs
3. For population of 500,000-749,999, show 8 sample CCCs
7. For population lesser than 30,000, show 1 sample CCC

TR Credit: Walkability and Bikeability
Intent
To ensure accessible, connected and safe walking and cycling infrastructure to improve public health
and reduce environmental impacts.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Design sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks that are unobstructed and barrier-free for people with
disabilities, including wheelchair users and people with low vision. Comply with Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) or relevant national or local guidelines for 100% of sidewalks, bikeways and
crosswalks.
AND
Design at least 90% of the total street length within the city or community as per the following
requirements 22 or meet the national, state or local regulations on designing of streets, sidewalks and
bike lanes:
 For street segments with speed limit up to 9 miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour), no
segregation of either pedestrians or cyclists is required.
 For street segments with speed limit more than 9 miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour), provide
walkways on both sides separated by a physical buffer to ensure safety of pedestrians.
 For street segments with vehicular speed limit less than 18 miles per hour (30 kilometers per hour),
protected bike lanes are not required. However, demarcate the bike lanes.
 For street segments with vehicular speed limit more than 18 miles per hour (30 kilometers per
hour), provide exclusive and protected bike lanes.
AND
Achieve at least four of the following requirements for 90% of total street length:
 Sidewalks must be at least 10 feet (3 meters) wide for retail or mixed-use blocks and for all other
sidewalks it should be a minimum of 5 feet (1.5 meters) 23. One-way bike lanes should be a minimum
of 5 feet (1.5 meters) and two-way bike lanes should be a minimum of 8 feet (2.5 meters).
 Provide shade from trees for at least 40% of all sidewalks and bike lanes for the users. Additionally
use other locally appropriate amenities for providing shade. Such amenities include buildings (e.g.,
22 TOD guidelines, ITDP

23 LEED ND NPD Credit: Walkable Streets and TOD guidelines, ITDP
arcades, awnings, cast shadows), freestanding structures (e.g., shade shelters at intersections and
public transport shelters), and vertical wind and solar screens (e.g., walls and lattices) 24.
 Design roads to ensure high degree of connectivity by providing prioritized connectivity ratio 25 of 1
or higher in the circulation network.
 The pedestrian sidewalks and crosswalks must be a continuous network and devoid of cul-de-sacs.
For exceptions, include a pedestrian or bicycle through-connection or crosswalks for paths with
cul-de-sac.
 Design roads with traffic calming measures as applicable to limit the speed as per Section 1.2 in
Traffic Calming ePrimer by Federal Highway Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation 26
or in compliance with the state or local regulations.
 Limit the length of urban blocks up to 820 feet (250 meters). For block lengths larger than 820 feet
(250 meters) provide interconnectivity, through-connections, skywalks or alleys 27.
 Design complete streets for safety and security of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists,
motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Reference:
LEED v4 ND NPD Credit: Walkable Streets
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit encourages cities and communities to provide walking and bicycling infrastructure that is
comfortable, safe, uninterrupted, and accessible for all people regardless of age, ability, and other
factors. The credit promotes protection for pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic by limiting
road speeds, as well as separating and by providing buffers between the vehicular, walking and
bicycling paths. Better pedestrian and cycling environments encourage residents to walk and bike to
work and access diverse uses, such as schools, shopping areas, parks, etc. Reduced dependency on
motorized vehicles helps to reduce GHG emissions, increase physical activity among residents, and
improve public health.
Further Explanation
All cities For
Documentation and designing
communities streets
Letter of Assurance by an authorized signatory confirming
compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or an
X
equivalent national or local standard for sidewalks, bikeways and
crosswalks
Master plan showing streets classification based on speed limits
given in list and segregation for pedestrians and cyclists, as
X
required or classification based on national, state of local
regulations
24 TOD guidelines, ITDP

25
Prioritized connectivity ratio is the ratio of all publicly accessible intersections including pedestrian intersection and
motor vehicle intersections to intersections that are only for motor vehicles and devoid of pedestrian walkways. For
further details refer to Objective 3.B.1 Prioritized Connectivity, TOD Guidelines, ITDP
26 https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/ePrimer_modules/module1.cfm , accessed on December 17, 2018.
27 TOD Guidelines, EMBARQ

Typical plan and section of streets showing physical buffer used for
pedestrians, demarcation of bike lanes and design of exclusive X
protected bikeways
For sidewalks, typical plan and section of street showing width of X
sidewalks based on various use type
For shading, documentation showing shading for 40% total length X
of sidewalks and bike lanes with trees and/or other locally
appropriate amenities
For degree of connectivity, map showing circulation network; X
calculation to demonstrate prioritized connectivity ratio
For pedestrian sidewalks and crosswalks, map showing circulation X
network to demonstrate continuity and if cul-de-sacs are present,
show through-connections
For traffic calming, typical plan and section of street showing traffic X
calming measures; description of measures adopted
For block length, typical plan or other documentation such as X
building codes demonstrating length of blocks to be limited to 820
feet (250 meters) and for blocks with length greater than 820 feet
(250 meters), show interconnectivity
For complete streets, documentation showing achievement of X
features for complete streets design

TR Credit: Access to Quality Transit

Intent
To encourage use of diverse transportation modes in order to reduce the reliance on personal vehicles.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
All cities and communities must disclose data on modal split showing the percentage of population
commuting to work and other places by using the following transportation modes:
 Drive alone (or chauffeured)
 Carpool
 Motorcycle
 Taxicab
 Public transportation (excluding taxicab)
 Walk
 Bicycle
 Or, other means
AND
Option 1. Quality of Transit Facilities (1 point)

Design safe and comfortable transit stops to encourage use of public transport. Ensure the following for
at least 80% of transit facilities:
 Are covered and partially enclosed to buffer wind and rain, have seating and illumination, has
signage that display transit schedules and route information. Ensure that the transit facilities are
illuminated and display transit schedules and route information at peak and non-peak hours.
 Minimized interference with pedestrian flow.
 Main roads have right-of-way for public transportation, preferably with dedicated lanes 28.
Reference:
LEED v4 ND NPD credit Transit Facilities
AND/OR
Option 2. Intermodal connectivity (1 point)

Design at least 50% of planned transit stations as identified in TR Credit: Compact, Mixed Use and
Transit Oriented Development, 1. Access to transit facilities such as bus rapid transit stops, passenger rail
stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail), commuter ferry terminals, bus, streetcar or informal transit
28
TOD Guidelines, EMBARQ
stops to meet the requirement in Option 2, LT Credit Intermodal Connectivity and Placemaking of LEED
v4 BD+C Transit (Appendix 3).
Reference:
STAR v2 BE-7 Transportation Choices, Outcome 1 and Outcome 3
LEED v4 BD+C Transit, LT Credit: Intermodal Connectivity and Placemaking
OR
Option 3. Frequency of trips (1 point)

Ensure that transit stations identified in TR Credit: Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented
Development, 1. Access to transit facilities, including an existing or planned rapid mass transit station,
bus rapid transit stops, passenger rail stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail), commuter ferry
terminals, bus, streetcar or informal transit stops, meet the minimum requirement of 72 weekday trips
and 30 weekend trips. The transit service at these stops and stations in aggregate must meet the given
minimum requirement for each CCC as identified in TR Credit: Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented
Development. Planned stops and stations may count if they are sited, funded, and under construction
during the time of certification.
Both weekday and weekend trip minimums must be met.

 For each qualifying transit route, only trips in one direction are counted towards the threshold.
 For weekend trips, only trips on the day with the higher number of trips are counted towards the
threshold.
 If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from
one stop are counted towards the threshold.
 Privately-run shuttles are only acceptable if the service is also made available to the public.
If existing transit service is temporarily rerouted outside the required distances for less than two years,
the city may meet the requirements, provided the local transit agency has committed to restoring the
routes with service at or above the prior level.
Reference:
LEED v4.1 BD+C, LT Credit: Access to Quality Transit
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit requires cities and communities to provide multiple transit options as alternatives to personal
motorized vehicles and encourage a shift to public transit that supports the environment as well as
public health. Providing safe, comfortable, attractive, and convenient transit facilities tends to increase
ridership of public transit. It is equally important to provide transit service that is frequent and regular.
Further Explanation
All cities and Option
communities 3
Documentation on estimated modal split
showing percentage of population using
different modes of transportation such as
X
drive alone, carpool, motorcycle, taxicab,
public transportation, walk, bicycle, and others
(as applicable)
Description supported by typical drawings
X
showing design of public transit stops,

minimized interference with pedestrian flow,
main roads with right-of-way for all public
transit stops
Documentation of selected options from the
X
list
For bus routes, vicinity map showing mass
transit stations and connectivity with three or X
more bus routes
For bicycle storage, site plan showing location
and number of short-term and/ or long-term
X
bicycle storage spaces or valet at mass transit
station
For bicycle storage, policy allowing bicycles
X
on mass transit systems
For vehicle parking, site plan showing location
X
of vehicle parking at the mass transit station
For vehicle parking, description supporting
provision of carpool services at vehicle X
parking at the mass transit station
For connectivity to airport, map showing
X
distance of airport from mass transit station
For rail, map showing connectivity to regional
X
or commuter rail
For ferry, map showing connectivity of mass
X
transit station with ferry
For passenger drop-off area, site plan
showing location of designated passenger X
drop-off area
Timetables or other-service level
documentation showing frequency of X
weekday and weekend trips

TR Credit: Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Intent
To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to fossil fuel vehicles.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities (2 points)

Install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 2% of all public parking spaces or at least two spaces,
whichever is greater. Clearly identify and reserve these spaces for the sole use by plug-in electric
vehicles.
All EVSE must meet the following requirements:

 Provide a Level 2 charging capacity (208 – 240 volts) or greater.
 Comply with the relevant regional or local standard for electrical connectors, such as SAE Surface
Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler or IEC 62196
of the International Electrotechnical Commission for cities outside the U.S.
 Be capable of responding to time-of-use market signals (e.g. price). Cities pursuing EN credit Grid
Harmonization should incorporate EVSE into any demand response program or load flexibility and
management strategies.
Demonstrate that the number of planned private and public electric vehicle charging stations exceed
1.07 per 10,000 residents or comply with local or national equivalent.
AND/ OR
Option 2. Alternative fuel stations (1 point)

Demonstrate that the total number of government and privately owned planned alternative fuel 29
stations meet or exceed 1.52 per 10,000 residents or comply with local or national equivalent.
References:
STAR v2 CE-3 Greening the Energy Supply, Outcome 1
LEED v4 BD+C Transit LT Credit Green Vehicles
29 Alternative fuel refers to low-polluting, non-gasoline fuels such as hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas,
liquid natural gas, methanol, and ethanol.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
In 2016, transportation accounted for 28% of total U.S. GHG emissions which is the largest portion of the
total emissions. 30 GHG emissions not only impact the global climate, but also pose health risks from
pollution, especially for children, seniors, and other sensitive populations. This credit requires cities and
communities to promote alternative fuels for vehicles that are lower-emitting and non-gasoline-based,
such as electricity, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, methanol, and
ethanol. Initiatives such as preferred parking spaces, provision of charging and refueling stations, and
incentives encourage a greener transportation system.
Further Explanation
Master plan showing public parking spaces and electric vehicle charging
X
spaces;
Calculations demonstrating achievement of point threshold
Master plan showing electric vehicle charging stations; calculations based on
X
number of electric vehicle charging stations per 10,000 residents
National or local policy providing regulation on provision of electric vehicle
charging facilities such as electric vehicle charging stations, charging X
spaces, incentives or other features that encourage use of electric vehicles
Master plan showing alternative fuel stations; calculations demonstrating
X
number of alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents
National or local policy providing regulation on provision of alternative fuel
stations such as fuel stations, charging spaces, incentives or other features X
that encourage use of electric vehicles
30https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions (accessed on March 22,

2019)
TR Credit: Smart Mobility and Transportation
Policy
Intent
To promote efficient operation of transport systems, user facilitation, behaviour change and reduced
environmental impact through smart technologies and transportation policies.
Requirements
CITIES
Adopt any four solutions or policies to support a city-wide smart and efficient transportation system.
COMMUNITIES
Adopt any two solutions or policies to support a community-wide smart and efficient transportation
system.
Indicative list of solutions 31:
 Passenger Information System (PIS) - At least 80% of all transit stations identified in TR Credit:
Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Development, 1. Access to transit facilities must be
equipped with PIS system.
 Automated Speed Enforcement - At least 80% of city roads to be equipped for automated speed
enforcement.
 Traffic Surveillance - At least 80% of all transit stations identified in TR Credit: Compact, Mixed Use
and Transit Oriented Development, 1. Access to transit facilities must be equipped with CCTVs for
traffic surveillance.
 Global Positioning System (GPS)/ General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) - All public transit vehicles
must be equipped with GPS system.
 Signal Synchronization and Transit Signal Priority - All signals on major roads must be synchronized
or prioritized to address varying traffic flows.
 Integrated Ticketing System - At least 80% of all public transit systems and subsystems to have
Automatic Ticketing System.
 Real-time Parking Management - At least 80% of all public and multi-level parking to have real-time
parking management system.
 Electronic Toll Collection - All toll booths and plazas to have electronic toll collection system.
 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - Adopt RFID technology for logistics and/or for public
transportation system.
31
http://www.grantthornton.in/globalassets/1.-member-firms/india/assets/pdfs/smart-transportation-report.pdf , accessed on
December 17, 2018.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Cities and communities face transportation-related issues such as traffic congestion, inadequate or
inefficient mass transit infrastructure, issues hindering the safety, mobility, and productivity of
commuters. This credit requires cities and communities to integrate information and communication
technologies into the transportation system through the adoption of the given strategies or policies for
smart technologies. Technologies such as passenger information systems, electronic toll collection,
transit signal priority and synchronization, and real-time parking management help improve overall
transportation system efficiency.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Documentation to show achievement of thresholds for selected solutions as
applicable for a city or community, from the indicative list of solutions for smart and
efficient transportation system. For solutions selected from outside of the given list, X
demonstrate servicing a minimum of 50% of city or community transportation
network with these solutions
Policy to support smart transportation system showing solutions implemented and
percentage of city or community transportation network that is serviced by these X
solutions

TR Credit: High-Priority Site

Intent
To preserve historic structures and sites and focus growth and redevelopment to infill and other priority
locations.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Attempt any of the following options for a maximum of 2 points.
Option 1. Historic Preservation (1 point)

This option is applicable to city with at least one historic building, contributing building in a historic
district, or designated cultural site within the city or community boundary.
Develop an inventory of building(s) and/or areas within the city that should be considered for
preservation and conservation. Consider historic buildings or sites that are outside the city or
community boundary that may be impacted by development.
Do not demolish any historic buildings or contributing buildings in a historic district, or portions thereof,
or alter any designated cultural sites as part of the city.
An exception is granted only with approval from an appropriate review body. For buildings or
landscapes listed locally, approval must be granted by the local historic preservation review board, or
equivalent. For buildings or landscapes listed in a state register or in the National Register of Historic
Places (or equivalent for cities outside the U.S.), approval must appear in a programmatic agreement
with the state historic preservation office or National Park Service (or local equivalent for cities outside
the U.S.).
Reference:
LEED ND GIB credit Historic Resource Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
AND/OR
Option 2. Brownfield Remediation (1 point)

Identify the areas within the city or community boundary equivalent to at least 20% of the gross city or
community area that are identified as a brownfield and requires remediation. Meet the requirements of
Option 1: Brownfield Site, SLL credit Brownfield Remediation of LEED v4 Neighborhood Development to
achieve this credit. (Appendix 3)
Reference:
LEED ND SLL credit Brownfield Remediation
AND/OR

Option 3. Previously Developed Sites (1 point)
Identify areas within the city or community boundary that are served by existing water and wastewater
infrastructure, are previously developed and are equivalent to at least 20% of the gross city or
community area.
Reference:
SITES credit 1.5: Redevelop Degraded Sites
AND/OR
Option 4. Infill Sites (1 point)

Locate the city or community on an infill site.
Reference:
LEED ND SLL prerequisite Smart Location
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit requires cities and communities to identify high-priority redevelopment sites such as historic
structures and buildings, brownfields, previously developed sites and infill sites. Redeveloping these
sites have many environmental advantages over development in greenfields and environmentally-
sensitive areas. Reusing historic structures helps in preserving community character, and underutilized
properties can have a rich history. The redevelopment of sites in historic districts can also reduce urban
sprawl through adaptive reuse. Building a project on a high-priority redevelopment site can revitalize
the neighborhood and bring social and economic benefits to the surrounding community. Such projects
also achieve savings because they are served by existing infrastructure.
Further Explanation
Documentation Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4
Document from historic preservation entity

X
confirming historic structures and sites
Policy with terms and conditions for alterations or
X
additions to historic structures and sites
For brownfield sites, documentation from
authority having jurisdiction declaring existence of
specific contamination for an area equivalent to at
X
least 20% of the gross city or community area and
confirming that remediation has been or will be
completed to its satisfaction
Vicinity map or other documentation showing
previously developed sites for an area equivalent
X
to at least 20% of the gross city or community
area
Vicinity map or other documentation showing infill
sites for an area equivalent to at least 20% of the X
gross city or community area
WATER EFFICIENCY (WE)
WE Prerequisite: Integrated Water Management
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To support water management, reduce freshwater consumption and encourage to move towards net
zero water use.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Water Balance Statement

Develop an integrated water management process by developing a water balance statement for the city
by projecting the total water demand based on various uses and designing the supply side to meet the
total water demand.
Demonstrate that the ratio of water withdrawals for human use to the total freshwater resources is less
than 0.2.
Develop Water balance calculator which consist of the following to demonstrate flow of water within
the city:
1. Water Availability Assessment

Assess the total quantity of water available for use to the city or community.
2. Water Demand
Estimate water demand for all of the following sectors and use types present within the city or
community for a period of one full calendar year:
 Buildings – All use types such as residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings
under the public and private sector.
 Landscaping for public spaces such as parks, alongside roadways and open spaces.
 Any other sector as applicable to the city.
Calculate the projected water demand for the sector based on (i) industry “standard practice” (ii)
existing codes, standards or regulatory requirements (iii) published data or (iv) projects of similar
scope and size operating within the same geographical area or within a geographical area with
similar operating condition. Baseline calculations may follow LEED v4 BD+C Water Efficiency
Prerequisite: Outdoor Water Use Reduction 32 and Water Efficiency Prerequisite: Indoor Water Use
32 Detailed guidance on development of baseline will be provided in the Reference Guide.

Reduction. Support water use reduction strategies which are not within the scope of the
development authority’s direct execution with appropriate regulations or policies.
Document the assumptions for differing daytime and night time population or permanent and
transitory population, if variations in projected population is expected to significantly alter total
water demand.
3. Water Supply
Identify the sources of water supply that will be used to meet the total water demand of the city or
community. Sources of water supply may include but not be limited to the following:
 Freshwater
 Desalinated water
 Alternative water includes:
o Treated wastewater- For each of the sectors identified in Water Demand, identify the
wastewater generated. For reusing treated wastewater at city level, provide centralized
water treatment plant. Support treated waste water reuse which is within the scope of the
development authority’s direct execution, such as at building or community level by
adopting appropriate regulations, policies or ordinances. In addition, meet the requirements
for waste water quality as per WE Prerequisite Water Access and Quality.
o Harvested stormwater- For each of the sectors identified in Water Demand, identify the
quantity of stormwater harvested. For harvesting stormwater at city level provide
stormwater infrastructure. Support stormwater harvesting for areas within the scope of the
development authority’s direct execution, such as at building or community level by
adopting appropriate regulations, policies or ordinances. In addition, meet the requirements
for stormwater quality as per WE Prerequisite Water Access and Quality.
Reference:
Variation on STAR v2 BE-2 Community Water Systems Outcome 2
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Water is a vital resource needed to sustain life, human and ecosystem health, and the economy.
Conventional water management systems consider water supply, wastewater, and stormwater as
separate entities. However, sustainable urban water management has become critical with increases in
water demand due to increased populations, urbanization, industrialization, and resulting low water
availability. This credit requires cities and communities to take a comprehensive approach to urban
water services, maintain the inflow and outflow of water in a city, and maintain water balance. To uphold
the water balance, it is critical to assess the total amount of water available annually for use from
surface water resources and plan the uses in a city or community based on that availability. This credit
also encourages cities and communities to reduce dependency on non-renewable sources of water such
as groundwater and to reuse treated wastewater and harvested rainwater to meet water demand.
Ultimately, the credit encourages cities and communities to move towards a net zero water status.
Achieving Net Zero Water means balancing the consumption of water resources and returning the same
quantity back to the watershed so as not to deplete the resources of that region in quantity or quality
over the course of the year.
Further Explanation
Water
All cities and Water Water
Documentation availability
communities Demand Supply
assessment
Calculations demonstrating water balance with
total water demand based on various use types
X X X X
and water supplied by various sources
calculated for a period of one year
Documentation showing ratio of total quantity
of freshwater available for use to total water
X X X
that will be withdrawn for potable use from
natural resources
Report or other documentation showing total
quantity of water available for use from natural X X
resources

WE Prerequisite: Water Access and Quality
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To provide all sections of the society with equitable access to clean drinking water and sanitation
services.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Water and wastewater systems must meet the following requirements:
Water and Sanitation Access

100% coverage of all buildings within the boundary by public water supply and wastewater collection
system including centralized and decentralized systems.
Requirement can be met using private water wells if it is permitted within the local or regional
jurisdiction.
Drinking Water Quality

Water treatment facilities must demonstrate compliance with U.S. EPA’s 2018 Edition of the Drinking
Water Standards and Health Advisories Tables for drinking water rules on chemical and microbial
contaminants in drinking water pipes or comply with local, state, or national equivalent.
 Provide information on periodic water quality testing as per the adopted standard for each of the
water supply facility under the following categories:
o Frequency of water quality testing (quarterly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc.)
o Water quality testing parameters
 Commit to corrective measures to be taken in case of non-compliance for the following:

o Violation of testing frequency
o Violation in water quality parameter threshold
Reference:
STAR v2 BE-2: Community Water Systems, Outcome 1: Drinking Water Quality
Treated Wastewater Quality

All centralized or decentralized (on-site, individual systems, septic systems, and others) wastewater
treatment systems owned or operated by the city development authorities (or service providers) and
the wastewater discharged to surface waters must comply with U.S. EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permit program of Clean Water Act (CWA) or local, state, or national
equivalent for 100% of wastewater generated. Meet the water quality parameter thresholds in NPDES
permit program manual, Section 5.1.1 - Secondary and Equivalent to Secondary Treatment Standards.
 Provide information on periodic water quality testing as per the adopted standard for each of the
wastewater treatment facility under the following categories:
o Frequency of water quality testing (quarterly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc.)
o Water quality testing parameters
 Commit to corrective measures to be taken in case of non-compliance for the following:

o Violation of testing frequency
o Violation of water quality parameter threshold
All wastewater treatment systems that are independently operated onsite or decentralized and are
outside the jurisdiction of the city development authority must disclose the applicable standards for
wastewater treatment and discharge.
Wastewater management system should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise
development of the city to ensure that the requirements are met at each phase.
Reference:
STAR v2 BE-2: Community Water Systems, Outcome 3: Safe Wastewater Management
Stormwater Quality
CITIES
Adopt a policy to comply with U.S. EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit program for stormwater pollution prevention from construction and industrial activities and
municipal sources or local, state, or national equivalent.
Reference:
STAR v2 BE-2: Community Water Systems, Outcome 4: Safe Stormwater Management
COMMUNITIES
Monitor the quality of stormwater discharged from the community and ensure compliance with U.S.
EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program for stormwater
pollution prevention from construction and industrial activities and municipal sources or local, state, or
national equivalent.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This prerequisite addresses three critical issues: access to clean drinking water, access to sanitation
services, and pollution prevention from wastewater discharge and stormwater runoff.
Cities and communities are grappling with issues of equity and diversity among vulnerable populations,
at times resulting in a total lack of basic amenities. Cities must ensure access to clean drinking water
and sanitation services for all members of society. The drinking water must comply with water quality
standards to ensure the safety of consumers.
Untreated or poorly-treated wastewater degrades surface water and makes it unsafe for many uses.
This credit requires compliance with standards for maintaining quality of treated wastewater before it is
reused or discharged into natural water bodies.
Rainwater in cities and communities picks up oil and other pollutants while flowing over impervious
areas such as roof tops, paved surfaces, and parking lots before entering water bodies. Proper

stormwater management by harvesting and treating runoff can help reduce flooding and pollution. In
addition, reclaimed water can be reused to help meet a city’s water demand.
Further Explanation
All cities Drinkin Treated
Stormwater
Documentation and g water Wastewate
Quality
communities Quality r Quality
Documentation from jurisdictional authority

demonstrating percentage of consumers
that will have public water supply and X
percentage of all buildings that will have
connection to wastewater system
Report or other documentation from public
water supply and management utility
providing information on compliance to U.S.
EPA standards for drinking water and
X X
treated wastewater quality or to local, state,
or national equivalent; frequency of water
and wastewater quality testing and
parameters to be tested
Description of enforcement actions to be
taken in case of violation of testing
frequency, meeting water quality parameter X X
threshold and frequency of water quality
testing
For stormwater management in cities, policy
on compliance with U.S. EPA’s NPDES
permit program and for communities, report
or other documentation from authority X
demonstrating compliance with U.S. EPA’s
NPDES permit program for stormwater
discharge

WE Credit: Stormwater Management

Intent
To reduce runoff volume, prevent erosion, flooding and recharge groundwater.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Rainfall Event Based (3-5 points)

Provide adequate infrastructure to manage stormwater within the city to demonstrate reduction in
runoff, maximum capture, treatment and reuse of stormwater for a minimum of 60th percentile of local
or regional rainfall event for ten year 24-hr rainfall event data. Refer the methodology given in Part I,
Section E of U.S. EPA Section 438 Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff
Requirements for Federal Projects of the Energy Independence and Security Act to obtain 60th
percentile rainfall event. Points are awarded according to Table 4.
Table 4 Points for retaining percentile of rainfall retained in the city or community
Percentile rainfall retained Points
60th percentile 3
80th percentile 4
90th percentile 5
References:
LEED v4 ND GIB Credit: Rainwater Management
SITES v2 Water Prerequisite 3.1: Manage Precipitation on Site
SITES v2 Water Credit 3.3: Manage Precipitation beyond Baseline
OR
Option 2. Reducing Post-development Stormwater Run-Off 33 (3-5 points)

Reduce post-development stormwater run-off by preserving pre-development runoff conditions in the
planned city or community. The post-construction stormwater runoff should not exceed the pre-
development rates and the predevelopment hydrology should be replicated through design and other
appropriate strategies. These goals should be accomplished through the use of infiltration,
evapotranspiration, and/or rainwater harvesting and reuse.
33U.S. EPA Section 438 Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff Requirements for Federal
Projects of the Energy Independence and Security Act
Table 5 Points for preserving pre-development to post-development run-off conditions
in the city or community
Pre-development to post-
Points
development runoff percentage
15% 3
10% 4
Lesser than 10% 5
OR
Option 3. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (3-5 points)

Ensure that 35% of the jurisdiction’s land area has designated green stormwater infrastructure providing
bioretention and infiltration services that are interconnected.
Provide details on strategies planned to be adopted to inspect and maintain the stormwater
management facilities.
Table 6 Points for percentage of land area with designated stormwater infrastructure
% of land area with designated

Points
stormwater infrastructure
35% 3
40% 4
50% 5
Reference:
STAR NS-1 Green Infrastructure, Outcome 1: Green Stormwater Infrastructure
In a manner best replicating natural site hydrology processes, retain (i.e. infiltrate, evapotranspirate, or
collect and reuse) on site the runoff 34 from the developed site for Option 1, Option 2 and Option 3.
For all cities and communities, the use of coal tar sealants shall be prohibited in any application exposed
to stormwater, wash waters, condensates, irrigation water, snowmelt, or icemelt.
34 Examples of acceptable techniques to achieve above requirements:

• Planting rain gardens with native or adapted plant material (e.g. trees shrubs);
• Installing a vegetated roof;
• Using permeable paving, consisting of porous above-ground materials (e.g., open pavers, engineered
products), a base layer designed to drain water away from the building, and (often) a 6-inch-deep (150
millimeters) subbase; and
• Installing permanent infiltration or collection features (e.g., vegetated swale, rain garden, rainwater cistern)
that can retain 100% of the runoff from at minimum, the 80th percentile of regional or local rainfall events.
Cities may also refer to Urban Best Management Practice Database and Codes by Maryland Department of
Environment that provides a list of BMPs under the category of environmental site design, structural and other
practices.
https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/stormwatermanagementprogram/documents/Urban%20BMP%20Datab
ase%20for%20Phase%20II%20MS4s%202016.pdf , accessed on December 17, 2018.
A combination of Low Impact Development (LID) approaches are recommended (but not required) as
they are holistic measures which maximize benefits. In contrast to LID, conventional stormwater
techniques include grey infrastructure, such as detention or retention ponds, pipes, and vaults.
Conventional grey infrastructure devices may be accepted only if integrated within a holistic LID system
(i.e. a combination of LID techniques).
Guidance
Behind the Intent
City and community developments impact land, impervious surfaces, soil compaction, vegetation, and
natural drainage patterns, disrupting natural hydrological systems and watersheds. The cumulative
effect of these changes is disruption to the natural water balance and water flow. Typically, a
conventional city’s rainwater management technique is to convey runoff as quickly as possible into
centralized facilities at the base of drainage areas. However, such a strategy, although intended to
prevent flooding and promote efficient drainage, can harm watersheds; it increases the volume,
temperature, peak flow, and duration of runoff, eroding streams and causing other ecological damage.
Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) rainwater management strategies and
techniques improve upon that conventional approach by mimicking an area’s natural hydrology. These
techniques involve minimizing disturbed areas, preserving pre-development run-off conditions, limiting
the amount of impervious cover, and infiltrating, storing, evaporating, or detaining rainwater runoff.
Further Explanation
Documentation
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Rainfall data for past ten years, showing 60th, 80th or 90th
X
percentile rainfall data, as applicable
Typical plans, details, or cross sections depicting project
conditions and GI or LID strategies, highlighting topography,
X X X
direction of water flow, and area of site that each stormwater
management facility addresses
Narrative confirming measures that qualify as GI or LID X X
Calculations for volume of rainwater managed by GI or LID
X X
strategies
Runoff volume calculations for each zone in the city based on
land use types, showing reductions in run-off volumes for
X
post-development phase by preserving pre-development run-
off conditions
Master plan showing designated green stormwater
X
infrastructure
Calculation showing percentage of total area with designated
X
green stormwater infrastructure
Description of strategies that will be adopted for inspection
X X X
and maintenance of stormwater facilities

WE Credit: Wastewater Management

Intent
To reduce pollution from wastewater, encourage water reuse and reduce stress on freshwater sources.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Use treated wastewater to meet the city water demand. Calculate the percentage of treated wastewater
used to meet the city water demand using the following equation.
Treated wastewater (liters)

Treated wastewater reused % = × 100
Total water demand (liters)
Support treated wastewater reuse from decentralized plants, which is not within the scope of the
development authority’s direct execution, such as at building or community level by adopting
appropriate regulations, policies or ordinances.
Cities should meet the requirements of WE Prerequisite: Water Access and Quality to meet the quality
requirements of treated and discharged wastewater. Points are awarded as per the Table below.
Table 7. Percentage of wastewater reused to meet total water demand
Percentage of wastewater reused Points

70% and above 5
50% to 69% 4
30% to 49% 3
10% to 29% 2
Wastewater management system should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise
development of the city to ensure that the requirements are met at each phase.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Collection and treatment of sewage and wastewater is vital to public and environmental health. Sewage
water contains pathogenic microorganisms, and untreated or poorly treated wastewater degrades
surface waters, making them unsafe for human uses such as drinking, fishing, and swimming. This credit
required cities and communities to collect and treat wastewater for reuse, as well as meet certain water
quality standards before release into natural water systems. It is vital to ensure the quality of treated
wastewater before its release into the environment to prevent pollution of both surface water and land.
This credit encourages cities to treat wastewater using centralized and decentralized wastewater
treatment systems.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Calculation showing percentage of treated wastewater from centralized and
decentralized plants, if applicable, which is reused to meet the total water X
demand
Report or other documentation from jurisdictional authority demonstrating
percentage of wastewater treated for reuse from centralized and decentralized X
treatment plants
Meet >80% of the total city water demand using treated wastewater.

WE Credit: Smart Water Systems

Intent
To manage water efficiently by tracking consumption, losses, leakages, theft and reduce wastage of
water through smart solutions.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Smart Water Metering (2 points)

Commit to cover 100% of water connection units with smart water meters to measure the total potable
water use at the point of connection.
AND/OR
Option 2. Water Supply Monitoring and Audit (1 point)

Design water supply system to provide information on water consumption, water losses, theft and
wastage. Provide auditing and monitoring systems.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit requires a city to apply information technology to enhance water efficiency. Smart water
systems optimize water utility performance by improving efficiency, longevity, and reliability. These
systems also help improve the overall performance of water supply networks by measuring, collecting,
and analyzing data, then taking appropriate corrective actions. Smart water systems can link together
multiple systems within a network to share data across platforms. Considering many of the common
challenges faced by utilities, including leak management, regulation compliance, and customer service,
utilities can improve performance by integrating systems in a manner that tracks and highlights specific
problem areas.
Commitment from jurisdictional authority to cover all points of connection

X
with smart water meters
Description of automation of water supply system to collect data, track and
X
monitor water supply and conduct water audits

ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
(EN)
EN Prerequisite: Power Access, Reliability and

Resiliency
Required
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To provide safe, secured, reliable, resilient and equitable access to power.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Power system must meet the following requirements. Cities with multiple utilities or service providers
must aggregate the data from the respective utility to demonstrate compliance.
Access
100% coverage of all buildings by power supply.
Reliability and Resiliency
Protect the power system from common external threats that may cause equipment damage,
malfunctioning or service interruption by meeting all requirements as applicable to the project.
Option 1. External Damage Prevention

Identify risks and avoid infrastructure damage and / or service interruption from external risks such as
tree contact, animal / bird contact, vehicle traffic or human interference, fire / hazardous area and
weather.
AND / OR
Option 2. Power System Hardening

Have in place the following design considerations and/or infrastructure to harden power systems against
flooding, storms, and other extreme events.
 Flooding avoidance
o Prevent damage to electrical equipment and assets (e.g., substations, diesel generator sets,
transformers, OH cables) and ancillary equipment (e.g., pumps, compressors), by having a
permanent storm water drainage system to protect critical power assets from inundation based
on a 100-year flood mark or flood map. Protect stored fuel to meet or exceed the requirements
set by the authority having jurisdiction.

o Existing infrastructure can meet this infrastructure requirement by installing a standalone pump
(operable in the absence of power supply) to pump water from low-lying areas around the
electrical systems or permanently relocate the assets or increase the height of critical power
assets in the flood-prone area as described in American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) -
Chapter 7, 24 or equivalent.
 Storm protection – Outdoor equipment should withstand three-second wind gusts up to 140 mph
or equivalent.
 Seismic protection – Have in place seismic restraint–certified equipment for critical electrical
systems and/or install a seismic restraint structural support for critical electrical systems, based on
the seismic zone.
AND / OR
Option 3. Undergrounding
Bury a minimum of 10% of the total electric cable length underground or protect them in conduits or
underground tunnels.
AND
Power Surety and Resiliency

Identify cities’ or communities’ critical loads or emergency facilities and essential services that require
backup power during widespread outages or disasters. Determine minimum daily runtime requirements
for all the emergency facilities and essential services. Demonstrate that the city, utility or service
provider can supply power to all emergency facilities and essential services for at least duration greater
than the minimum daily runtime for one week or longer.
Off-grid developments or micro-grids are eligible if they independently meet the above requirements
and are supported by the city development plans or policies.
References:
PEER v2 RR Credit: Damage and Exposure Prevention
PEER v2 RR Credit: Power Surety and Resiliency
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit aligns with one of the key targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7,
which calls for universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services by 2030. Along with
access, reliable delivery is a fundamental goal for energy system operators as it directly impacts
livability of a city or community. The failure to supply power—whether to a specific community or to the
entire distribution network—undermines the confidence of citizens and wastes money and resources.
Moreover, careful design of the power system can reduce the likelihood of equipment failures. Power
outages during severe weather events (such as floods, heavy winds, hurricanes, and cyclones) have
increased over the past decade, and many utilities, cities, and campuses are “hardening” their systems
by making the major electrical equipment less susceptible to damage. Designing with hardening
strategies during the initial stages of a project can help reduce future operational and damage costs.
Power reliability means providing short-term power to support critical loads, such as traffic controls or
communication systems, while power resiliency means providing long-term power for essential services
such as medical centers to support a community through an extended outage. Essential services must
be supplied with highly reliable power for at least one week, although power does not need to be
continuous or offer full functionality.

Further Explanation
Documentation Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Declaration from development authority or the electrical /

energy engineer stating 100% coverage of buildings with X X X
power supply.
Power surety and resiliency: List the cities’ or communities’

critical loads or emergency facilities and essential services,
with their minimum daily runtimes, identify the alternative X X X
power supply for each, including type, location, capacity, and
minimum daily runtime.
Reliability, resiliency and power surety: Narrative describing

the design considerations and strategies undertaken to
protect the power system from common external threats. For
critical loads and emergency facilities explain the energy X X X
storage or backup generators duty cycle, with their energy
storage capacity (including fuel) and typical energy
consumption.

EN Prerequisite: Energy and Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Management
Required, 1-19 points
 Cities (1-15)
 Communities (1-19)
Intent
To move towards a zero emissions city and reduce environmental and economic harms associated with
excessive energy use.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Estimate the annual energy consumption and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions for the city.
The projected energy performance must meet the following criteria:
Include Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions in the calculations. Address all of the following sectors
present within the city:
 Buildings – All types of buildings such as residential, commercial, institutional and industrial
buildings under public and private sector.
 Transportation – Public and private transportation.
 Street lighting and public area lighting.
 Water and wastewater.
 Waste management.
 Any other sector such as energy generation, mining or extraction if it falls within the city boundary.
For cities or communities in US and Canada:
 Use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regional grid mix coefficients to calculate GHG
emissions by energy source; or
 Use hourly emissions profiles from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AVoided
Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT)
For other International cities:
 Use national grid mix coefficients from the International Energy Agency CO2 Emissions from Fuel
Combustion 2017 report to calculate GHG emissions by energy source.
 ISO 52000-1:2017 – Greenhouse gas emission factors for each building energy source shall be
determined consistently with ISO Standard 52000-1:2017 and published for the country or region
where the project is located.
Calculate the projected energy performance for a sector based on (i) industry “standard practice” (ii)
existing codes, standards or regulatory requirements (iii) published data or (iv) projects of similar scope
and size operating within the same geographical area or within a geographical area with similar

operating condition. Additionally, baseline buildings must comply with ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard
90.1–2016 35, with errata or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard.
Support energy and GHG reduction strategies which are not within the scope of the development
authority’s direct execution with appropriate regulations or policies.
Document the assumptions for differing daytime and night time population if varying numbers are used
to arrive at GHG emissions per capita.
LEED points are based on projected energy and GHG performance based on Greenhouse gas emissions
per capita (tons CO2 per capita).
Table 8. Points for projected energy performance of the city
Energy and GHG Management Points

GHG emissions per capita
Cities Communities
No greater than 9.5 Prerequisite Prerequisite
9.0 – 9.4 1 1
8.5 – 8.9 2 2
8.0 – 8.4 3 3
7.5 – 7.9 4 4
7.0 – 7.4 5 5
6.5 – 6.9 6 6
6.0 – 6.4 7 7
5.5 – 5.9 8 8
5.0 – 5.4 9 9
4.5 – 4.9 10 10
4.0 - 4.4 11 11
3.5 – 3.9 12 12
3.0 – 3.4 13 13
2.5 – 2.9 14 14
2.0 – 2.4 15 15
1.5 – 1.9 - 16
1.0 – 1.4 - 17
0.5 – 0.9 - 18
0 – 0.4 - 19
35ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Compliance pathways in Section 4.2.1.1 include compliance with all mandatory provisions, and
compliance with one of the following: (i) Prescriptive provisions of Sections 5 through 10 (ii) Section 11 Energy Cost
Budget Method or (ii) Normative Appendix G Performance Rating Method. When using Appendix G, the Performance
Cost Index (PCI) shall be less than or equal to the Performance Cost Index Target (PCIt) in accordance with the
methodology provided in Section 4.2.1.1.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Cities cover an estimated 0.5% to 2.7% of global land area, yet they could account for up to 70 percent
of the world’s anthropogenic (human-induced) GHG emissions. Cities consume significant fossil fuels
across various sectors – transportation, industry, waste, and buildings. Any effort to mitigate and adapt
to climate change requires an understanding and accounting of the various sources of, and sinks for,
emissions in cities. As an example, parks and forestland can provide sinks to capture carbon dioxide.
This credit requires cities and communities to develop an emissions inventory that can identify the most
effective low-carbon growth strategies, reduce exposure to the risks of climate change, improve energy
security, and attract climate finance.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
USGBC calculator for total annual greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors X
Documentation (such as policies, ordinance or research) to support strategies for
X
GHG emissions estimation.
Detailed calculations for per capita emissions. X
 Cities: Demonstrate GHG emissions lower than 2.0 tCO2e per capita.
 Communities: Net zero carbon emissions

EN Credit: Energy Efficiency
Intent
To improve the energy efficiency of city services
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Attempt any of the following options for a maximum of 4 points:
Option 1. Street Lighting and Public Area Lighting (2 points)

Street lighting design should meet the efficiency related requirements of ‘ANSI/IESNA RP-8-14 Roadway
Lighting’ or internal equivalent standard. In addition, lamps should have a minimum Luminous Efficacy
of 100 lumens per watt.
AND / OR
Option 2. Water and Wastewater (2 points)

All pumps used in the water and wastewater systems must meet the Pump Energy Index listed in Table
I.1—Proposed Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps, 10 CFR Parts 429 and 431 of DOE standards
Federal Register final rule Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps 36
or international equivalent standard.
AND / OR
Option 3. District Energy Systems (1-2 points)

Incorporate a District Energy System (DES). For the purposes of this credit, a DES is a heating and/or
cooling system that produces steam, hot water, and/or chilled water in a centralized plant using
cogeneration or tri-generation and distributes this energy to multiple buildings. Determine the
percentage of city’s electric, cooling and/or heating demand serviced by the DES using the following
formula. Single-family residential buildings may be excluded from the calculation.
% 𝐷𝐷𝑖𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑖𝑐𝑐𝑡𝑡 𝐸𝐸𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑔𝑔𝑦𝑦 = % 𝐻𝐻𝐷𝐷𝐸𝐸𝑆𝑆 +% 𝐶𝐶𝐷𝐷𝐸𝐸𝑆𝑆 +% 𝐸𝐸𝐷𝐷𝐸𝐸𝑆𝑆
Where:
%HDES: Percentage of city’s heating demand supplied by DES
%CDES: Percentage of city’s cooling demand supplied by DES
%EDES: Percentage of city’s electric demand supplied by DES
36 https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0031-0060 , accessed on December 17, 2018.

Points are awarded based on percentage of city load supplied by district energy resources as shown in
table below.
Table 6. Points for District Energy
% District Energy Points
80% 1
160% 2
District Energy Systems should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise development of the
city to ensure that the requirements are met at each phase.
Reference:
PEER v2 EE Credit: Distributed Energy Resources
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit focuses on demand-side energy efficiency in the city. It includes activities typically under the
purview of the local government or development authority – street lighting, water and wastewater, and
district energy systems. Energy efficiency in buildings is addressed through the Green Building Policy
and Incentives credit. Transportation-related strategies such as use of alternative fuel vehicles are
included under the Transportation and Land Use credit category.
Further Explanation
District
Street Water and
Documentation Energy
Lighting wastewater
Systems
Declaration from development authority or electrical /
energy engineer stating street lighting will meet the X
requirements from the listed standard.
Narrative explaining the lighting type and design for
X
various types of streets
Declaration from development authority or electrical /
energy that all pumps will meet the requirements of the X
Pump Energy Index (PEI) of the listed standard.
Narrative explaining the district energy system. X
Calculation of the percentage of heating and cooling

X
loads served by the system.

EN Credit: Renewable Energy
Intent
To reduce the environmental and economic harms associated with fossil fuel energy and reduce
Greenhouse Gas emissions by increasing self-supply of renewable energy, use of grid-source renewable
energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Cities or communities may choose one or more strategies for procuring renewable energy (such as solar
PV, wind, geothermal, micro or small scale hydro, or biomass) from the categories below. Points are
based on total city electricity consumption met by the specific strategy as per the table below. Points
achieved through each individual strategy may be added for up to a total of 6 points.
 On-site Renewables- Includes on-site nonpolluting renewable energy generation, which will be
owned, leased or subsidized by the city, utility, or energy provider.
Local renewables should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise development of the
 New Off-Site Renewables- Includes large scale renewable energy plant with a minimum capacity of
1 MW, to meet the energy needs of the city. Plant maybe located within or outside the city boundary
and should be owned or leased for a period of fifteen years by the city development authorities.
Large scale renewables should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise development of
the city to ensure that the requirements are met at each phase. The plant must be built within the
last year or contracted prior to renewable energy project development. A new or on-going Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) or Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) between the city/
community, utility and/or renewable energy provider is acceptable.
 Existing Off-Site Renewables- Includes renewable energy procured from an existing renewable
energy provider or utility (Contract not required).
 Green-e Certified RECs and Carbon Offsets- Includes green-e certified Renewable Energy
Certificates (RECs), and/or carbon offsets purchased by the city to mitigate the environmental
impacts of city energy consumption; if purchased by the utility or energy provider, RECs and
Carbon Offsets must be prorated as per the city’s annual energy share in the utility’s generation.
RECs and carbon offsets must be Green-e certified. Carbon offsets must be purchased from
recognized GHG reduction projects within the country where the city is located. For this purpose,

engage in a contract for qualified resources that have come online since January 1, 2005 37, for a
minimum of fifteen years to be delivered annually. Contract for qualified resources that have come
online since January 1, 2005 38, for a minimum of fifteen years to be delivered annually. If RECs or
carbon offsets are purchased by the utility serving multiple cities, these must be prorated as per the
city’s annual energy share in the utility’s generation.
 RECs and Carbon Offsets- Includes other Renewable Energy Credits and Carbon Offsets
purchased by the city; if purchased by the utility, RECs and Carbon Offsets must be prorated as per
the city’s annual energy share in the utility’s generation.
Prosumers, Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) or other aggregated consumers with a minimum on-
grid capacity of 2 MW renewables which will be owned and operated by consumers may be included in
the calculations based on whether these are on-site or off-site renewables.
Environmental benefits of the procurement must be retained by the city, utility or service provider. All
off-site qualifying resources must be contracted, owned, or leased for at least 15 years.
Table 10. Points for Renewables Procurement
Green-e
Existing Off-
On-Site New Off-Site Certified: RECs
Points Site RECs and
Renewables Renewables and Carbon
Renewables Carbon
Offsets
Offsets
2 2% 20 % 60 % 100% 150%
3 6% 40 % 80 % 200%
4 15 % 60 % 100 % 300%
5 35 % 80 %
6 60 % 100 %
Note: Points are awarded for every single threshold that is met through each strategy, Points for each
strategy and are added to determine the final point achievement.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
There are multiple ways a city or community can incorporate renewable energy in its energy portfolio.
These include small-scale renewables such as rooftop photovoltaics (PV) or large-scale such as grid-
connected wind farms. This credit provides a single pathway for cities to evaluate their effectiveness
and advance towards renewable energy. Moreover, the credit is structured to reward cities based on

their level of effort and the impact of their solutions. A collaborative approach between the cities and
utilities or service providers is critical to the success of implementing upstream and downstream
renewable energy solutions.
Further Explanation
Green-e
RECs
Certified:
New Existing and
Documentation On-Site RECs and
Off-Site Off-Site Carbon
Carbon
Offsets
Offsets
Documentation for planned renewable
energy source and rated capacity X X
Calculations for determining annual

renewable energy generated X X
Contract (or Power Purchase

Agreement or Virtual Power Purchase
Agreement) indicating percentage
ownership, lease, or allocation of new
X
off-site renewable system, specific
location of new off-site system, the term
and annual energy output
Calculations demonstrating
achievement of the point threshold X X X X X
Confirmation of renewable attribute

ownership X X X X X
Purchase letter or contract of

commitment showing renewable
electricity or carbon offsets for targeted X X
point threshold
Green-e certificate or documentation

showing label development, transparent
accounting processes and standards, if X X
not Green-e certified
 On-Site Renewables: Meet 75% of the total estimated electricity consumption using on-site
renewables.
 New Off-Site Renewables: Generate 120% of the total electricity consumption using off-site
renewables to feed excess back into the grid.
 Green-e Certified RECs and Carbon Offsets: Purchase Green-e Certified RECs and Carbon
Offsets equivalent to 400% of the total estimated electricity consumption.
 RECs and Carbon Offsets: Purchase RECs and Carbon Offsets equivalent to 300% of the total
estimated electricity consumption.

EN Credit: Low Carbon Economy
Intent
To progress towards a low carbon economy by decoupling economic growth of the city or community
from greenhouse gas emissions.
Requirements
CITIES
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity

Report the total estimated GHG emissions by the city or community per unit estimated economic
output measured in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the city. Total GHG emissions must be per EN
Prerequisite Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance.
GDP of the city must include the projected increase in GDP of the region due to the economic activities
planned in the city. Data at city level or apportioned metro or state level data must be used.
GHG Intensity = Total GHG of the city / Total GDP
Guidance
Behind the Intent
The post-industrial era is marked by an increase in GHG emissions attributable to economic growth. The
strong coupling of economic growth and GHG emissions has been a major contributor to human-
induced climate change. As cities are the engines of economic growth, they are required to estimate the
GHG intensity of the economy and devise effective strategies to decouple GHG emissions and economic
growth.
Further Explanation
Documentation All cities
Total estimated annual Greenhouse Gas emissions from all sectors as reported
X
under EN Prerequisite Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance
Projected GDP for the city and supporting documentation X
Calculations for carbon intensity X

EN Credit: Grid Harmonization
• Communities (2 points)
Intent
To improve operational efficiency of the energy system.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Load Management (2 points)

Have in place (or initiate dialogue with utility to be committed to) infrastructure and programs that
provide access to dynamic pricing for metered users to motivate load shifting. Rate structures must be
clearly defined, communicated to metered users in a standard format, and easily accessible. At
minimum, have a tariff scheme that offers Time of Use pricing with at least one time block and two tiers
for all consumers.
Reference: PEER v2 GS Credit: Demand Side Management
OR
Option 2. Demand Response (2 points)

Have in place (or initiate dialogue with utility to be committed to) tariff options that support short-term
reduction in peak demand. Have in place following tariff structures for residential, commercial and
industrial consumer categories at minimum:
 Critical Peak Pricing

 Critical Peak Rebate
Reference: PEER v2 GS Credit: Demand Response
OR
Option 3. Net Metering and Interconnection Policy (2 points)

The policy should meet the following requirements which are based on the Standard for Interconnecting
Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
1547-2003 or local equivalent.
 Applicability to all renewable generation and energy storage technologies (Distributed Power
sources, Electric Vehicles).
 System capacity of 100 kW or more
 Incorporate the following best practices for interconnection policies:
o Provisions for a fast-track, low-cost interconnection process for customers with generation
capacity of 100 kW or less (Distributed Power sources, Electric Vehicles).
o Defined timelines and an engineering fee structure for various stages of the process.
o Identification of technical standards for interconnection of generation systems
(Distributed Power sources, Electric Vehicles).
 Incorporate at least three of the following best practices for net metering policies:
o Monthly rollover of excess energy to be permitted up to one year.
o Compensation is provided for excess energy at predefined, nonzero rates.
o Ownership of renewable energy certificates is offered to the customer.

o Third-party ownership and meter aggregation are permitted.
Reference: PEER v2 GS Credit: Streamlined Interconnection and Net Metering Policies
Guidance
Behind the Intent
The energy industry’s business model remained fundamentally unaltered for more than a century: the
utility generated power and, in a one-way flow, sold it to customers, the energy consumers. Demand
was fairly predictable. Today, with advanced technology, consumers can make informed choices about
energy usage or even become energy producers themselves. 39 This credit requires the city to
collaborate with the utility or service provider to deploy advanced technologies and provide a
modernized grid with low environmental impact.
Further Explanation

Narrative describing dynamic pricing programs available to
(or commitment made to) for customers, including the terms X
and applicable for each customer classes.
Policies, programs, and tariff structures in place (or
commitment made to) for different consumer categories the X
same
Provide the percentage of customers/consumers eligible for

the demand - response program and provide descriptions or X
narratives explaining how these values were determined
Rules, policies, and program requirements covering fees,

process timelines, and applicability for the interconnection X
standards.
Policies, practices, programs, and compensation rates for net
X
metering.
39 PEER v2 EE Credit: Distributed Energy Resources

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES (MR)
MR Prerequisite: Construction and Demolition
Waste Management
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To reduce construction and demolition waste disposed of in landfills and incineration facilities by
recovering, reusing and recycling materials.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES 40
Develop a detailed construction and demolition (C&D) waste management plan and commit to divert
minimum of 35% of C&D waste from all infrastructure works and construction undertaken by the city
development authority. This includes but is not limited to roads and highways, transits, water supply and
wastewater treatment plants, public spaces and parks and buildings owned by the development
authorities. The plan must include an overall project waste diversion goal and identify the strategies for
waste diversion. Alternative daily cover (ADC) does not qualify as material diverted from disposal.
Land- clearing debris is not considered construction, demolition, or renovation waste that can
contribute to waste diversion.
Provide a C&D facility within or outside the city boundary to treat C&D waste generated from all
infrastructure works and construction undertaken by the city development authority. Ensure that waste
from city/ community is treated by the assigned facility. For cities, where C&D waste management
services are undertaken by the subcontractors, ensure all above requirements are met.
Reference:
LEED BD+C v4 MR Prerequisite: Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Diversion of construction waste has increased greatly in recent years because of new market incentives,
better recycling and reuse infrastructure, and sophisticated sorting technology. However, most diverted
materials are limited to those that occur in high volume, such as structural waste, or are easily resold,
such as metals.
40 Communities must meet all the requirements for type of infrastructure within their scope.
Both planning and implementation are critical to reducing construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Cities can reduce C&D waste disposed of in landfills and incineration facilities by recovering, reusing and
recycling materials. Developing a C&D waste management plan early in the design process allows more
time for planning and coordination, identifying appropriate strategies, and developing contractual
agreements. Educating development team members, site workers, and waste haulers helps ensure that
the plan is followed and material is diverted from landfills and incinerators. A well-devised plan can also
minimize cost and maximize return by decreasing tipping fees, bringing in revenue from selling high-
value scrap materials, or identifying materials for reuse.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste management plan X
Commitment from local authority to divert a minimum 35% of C&D waste X
Narrative providing details of facility where C&D waste will be processed. X
Develop a detailed construction and demolition (C&D) waste management plan and commit to divert
minimum of 70% of C&D waste from all infrastructure works and construction undertaken by the city
development authority.

MR Prerequisite: Solid Waste Management
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To move towards a zero-waste city and reduce environmental and economic harms associated with
waste generation.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES 41
Waste collection services

100% coverage of all buildings for segregated waste collection services including but not limited to
recyclables and organics.
AND
Waste Generation and Diversion

Estimate the annual municipal solid waste generation and municipal solid waste diversion rate from
landfill for the city. In addition, city must also estimate the total waste generated (in metric tons per
year) and waste diverted (percentage diverted) from special waste streams. Special wastes are defined
as non-municipal solid waste generated within the city including industrial waste, agricultural, bio-
medical waste, hazardous waste or any other as specific to the city. 42
The projected performance should meet the following criteria:
1. Waste Generation
i. Project municipal solid waste generation per year for all of the following sectors present within
the city:
• Residential
• Institutional
• Commercial
• Open Spaces/ Yard waste
• Other sector as applicable for the city
ii. Municipal solid waste generated from each sector must be classified according to following
waste categories
• Organic waste including food or kitchen waste and yard waste.
• Recyclables such as paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic and metal.
41Communities must meet all the requirements which are within the scope of the services provided or contracted by
the community.
42
What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management, accessed on December 17, 2018.
iii. Calculate the projected waste generation based on (i) industry “standard practice” (ii) existing
codes, standards or regulatory requirements (iii) published data or (iv) projects of similar scope
and size operating within the same geographical area or within a geographical area with similar
operating condition.
iv. Document the assumptions for differing daytime and nighttime population if varying numbers
are used to arrive at waste generation based on population.
AND
2. Waste Diversion
Estimate the waste diversion from landfill as the total waste diverted from landfill, in a year as a
percentage of total waste generated.
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 × 100

𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
 Diverted waste includes all recycled, salvaged or reused materials.

 Construction and demolition waste in not included in this calculation. Exclude land clearing
debris, soil and landscaping materials.
Waste to energy may count as waste diversion method if the facility meets European Commission
Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and the European Commission Waste Incineration
Directive 2000/76/EC 43 or local, state or national equivalent. In addition, cities or communities
must demonstrate that reuse and recycling strategies were exhausted before sending material to
waste to energy facility.
Support waste management and diversion strategies which are not within the scope of the
development authority’s direct execution with appropriate regulations or policies.
AND
3. Waste Disposal
CITIES
Meet the requirements of Chapter 2: Design objectives and consideration, Chapter 3: Site
Development and Chapter 4: Site Infrastructure of EPA Landfill Manuals – Landfill Site Design or
43These standards consist of performance metrics of both efficiency and emissions for different types of energy
recovery systems. In addition, the facility must meet the applicable European standards based on the fuel type. See
Referenced Standards for more information on these directives:
EN 303-1—1999/A1—2003, Heating boilers with forced draught burners
EN 303-3—1998/AC—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers
EN 303-4—1999, Heating boilers with forced draught burners
EN 303-5—2012, Heating boilers for solid fuels
EN 303-7—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers equipped with a forced draught burner
local, state or national equivalent for designing landfill where the waste from the city will be
brought. 44
COMMUNITIES
Provide dedicated areas and take appropriate measures for safe disposal of waste streams
remaining after waste diversion.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
With rapid urbanization, economic development and population growth, more and more resources are
needed to meet consumer demand. As nations and cities expand, they must offer more services to
citizens and in turn manage, treat, and dispose of corresponding amounts of waste.
Around the world, almost 40% of waste is disposed of in landfills. 45 About 19% is recovered through
recycling and composting, 46 and 11% is treated through modern incineration. Although globally 33% of
waste is still openly dumped, 47 governments are increasingly facing the risks and costs of pollution and
pursuing sustainable waste disposal methods. To address these issues, this prerequisite encourages
effective, efficient, and systematic waste management. It allows cities to pursue sustainable waste
management methods through composting, recycling, and safe disposal.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Declaration from development authority or the chief engineer stating 100% X

coverage of all buildings with segregated waste collection services.
USGBC calculator for estimation of total waste generated - municipal and special X
waste streams
Calculations for waste diversion rate for municipal solid waste and each type of X
special waste
Narrative describing municipal solid waste and special waste stream diversion X
strategies.
Documentation of appropriate regulations and policies supporting waste X

management services.
44
For waste disposal services which are not within the scope of the development authority’s direct execution (such as provided by
contracts/sub-contracts) must be supported with appropriate contracts, regulations or policies to demonstrate compliance.
45 Chrisafis, Angelique. 2016. “French Law Forbids Food Waste by Supermarkets.” The Guardian, February 4.
https://www.theguardian .com/world/2016/feb/04/french-law-forbids-food-waste-by-supermarkets.
46 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). 2015. Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction. Rome: Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4068e.pdf.
47 “SAVE FOOD: Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations,
Rome. http://www.fao.org/save-food/news-and-multimedia/news/news-details/en/c/1105834/ .

MR Credit: Organic Waste Treatment

Intent
To encourage diversion of organic matter away from landfill and move towards creation of valuable
nutrient rich soil and clean power.
Requirements
Meet all of the following requirements:
CITIES
Incorporate decentralized and /or centralized waste management systems to treat 75% to 100% of
organic waste estimated as per MR Prerequisite Waste Management generated within the city. Points
are awarded per table 11,
COMMUNITIES
 Incorporate waste management systems to treat organic waste estimated as per MR Prerequisite
Waste Management generated within the community.
 Points are awarded based on the percentage of organic waste treated by using any or both of the
following options.
Table 11. Points for treating organic waste
Percentage of organic waste treated by

Points
city or community
75% 1
100% 2
Option 1. Decentralized organic waste management

Adopt a policy for buildings and/or communities to treat on-site the organic waste generated using
composting or anaerobic digestion.
AND/OR
Option 2. Centralized organic waste management

Provide centralized composting or waste-to-energy plant/s to treat the organic waste generated
within the city. Centralized systems may be provided within or outside the boundary of the city.
 Allocate areas within the city’s green spaces for utilization of the compost produced.

For waste management services which are not within the scope of the development authority’s direct
execution (such as provided by contractor/sub-contractor) must be supported with appropriate
contracts, regulations or policies to demonstrate compliance.
Waste to energy may count as waste diversion method if the facility meets European Commission
Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and the European Commission Waste Incineration
Directive2000/76/EC 48 or local, state or national equivalent. In addition, cities or communities must
demonstrate that reuse and recycling strategies were exhausted before sending material to waste to
energy facility.
Waste management system should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise development of
the city to ensure that the requirements are met at each phase.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Around the world, almost 40% of waste is disposed of in landfills. 49 About 19% undergoes material
recovery through recycling and composting, 50 and 11% is treated through modern incineration. 51
In order to close the nutrient cycle of circular economy, this credit encourages the diversion of organic
matter away from landfills and creation of valuable nutrient-rich compost and cleaner power. Planning
organic waste management systems early in the design process allows cities and communities to
acquire more useful material and build a circular and regenerative economy.
Further Explanation
All cities
Documentation and
communities
Documentation of percentage of organic waste treated and strategies adopted for

X
treatment.
Declaration from development authority that 100% of organic waste generated
X
within the city will be treated.
48 These standards consist of performance metrics of both efficiency and emissions for different types of energy
recovery systems. In addition, the facility must meet the applicable European standards based on the fuel type. See
Referenced Standards for more information on these directives:
EN 303-3—1998/AC—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers
EN 303-5—2012, Heating boilers for solid fuels
EN 303-7—2006, Gas-fired central heating boilers equipped with a forced draught burner
51
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management, accessed on December 17, 2018.
Documentation of contracts/sub-contracts with service providers supporting waste
management services. X
Exemplary performance

MR Credit: Recycling Infrastructure

Intent
To encourage waste diversion of inorganic matter away from landfill and move towards 100% diversion
from landfill.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Inorganic Waste Collection and Processing (2 points)

 Collection centers must be provided and equipped with facilities to collect and store the waste
products including (i) Electronics and Electrical Equipment (e-waste) and (ii) Packaging or metal
cans to transfer these to the manufacturers. Collection centers must be within or outside the city
boundary and may be operated by the municipality or other organizations such as Producer
Responsible Organizations (PRO).
AND
 Mandate a Manufacturers or Producer’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for

companies within the city’s jurisdiction to encourage refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling
of the products collected. Policy should meet all of the following requirements:
o Include specific guidelines regarding channelization, collection centers, storage, transportation,
environmentally sound dismantling, recycling and refurbishment.
o Mandate companies to collect a minimum of 10% of the total annual waste generated. Waste
generated by the producer is calculated using the formula:
Waste generation in the financial year ‘x-y’ = Sales in the financial year ‘(x-z) - (y-z)’
Where,
‘x – y’ = financial year in which generation is estimated (in weight or volume)
z= average life span of the products
OR
 Identify suitable market for all the waste products collected from consumers. Vendors may be
within the city or outside the city boundary.
References:
LEED BD+C v4 MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization- Sourcing of raw materials.
TRUE Leadership Credit 4: Take responsibility for company products and packaging
AND / OR
Option 2. Material Recovery Facility (MRF) (3 points)

 Waste Collection and Storage: Comply with the ‘Requirement’ sections of U.S. Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 40, Volume 26, Part 243 on Storage, Safety and Collection (or local, state or
national equivalent) for storage and collection of recyclables.
 Design a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to recycle the inorganic waste such as paper/ corrugated
cardboard, glass, plastic and metal generated within the city. Facility must be designed and
operated in accordance to local/ national regulations including design features for sorting to
specialization, bailing, shredding, crushing and compaction to prepare recyclables for end user
manufacturer.
 Identify suitable markets to collect MRF output for paper/ corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic and
metal. Vendors may be within the city or outside the city boundary.
Recycling infrastructure should be planned and designed to cater to the phase-wise development of the
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Looking beyond the conventional waste management model, a circular economy aims to redefine
growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity
from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system. 52 This credit provides
cities with a pathway to advance to a circular economy by enabling the recovery and restoration of
products, components, and materials through strategies like reuse, repair, remanufacture, or recycling.
Around the world, almost 40% of waste is disposed of in landfills, 53 only 19% undergoes materials
recovery through recycling and composting. 54 Designing proper recycling infrastructure early in the
design phase can offer long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits.
Further Explanation
Narrative describing commitment for collection centers to collect and store
X
the waste products listed in credit requirements.
Extended producer responsibility policy. OR Narrative describing suitable
X
markets for collected waste products under EPR
Documentation of compliance with the ‘Requirement’ sections of U.S. Code
of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Volume 26, Part 243 on Storage, Safety and
X
Collection (or local, state or national equivalent for storage and collection of
recyclables.
Documentation of material recovery facility equipped with design features
X
for sorting to specialization, bailing, shredding, crushing and compaction
Narrative describing details of the MRF facility including location, design and
X
suitable markets for recovered output.
Declaration from development authority to meet the requirements of the
X
listed standard for collection and storage of collected recyclables.
52https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/concept accessed on March 24, 2019

MR Credit: Responsible Sourcing for
Infrastructure
Intent
To encourage the use of products and materials for which life cycle information is available and that
have environmentally, economically, and socially preferable life cycle impacts. To reward cities for
selecting products verified to have been extracted or sourced in a responsible manner.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Purchase 20% by cost of permanently installed top three infrastructure materials (1 point)
Comply with one or more of the following criteria for minimum 20% of the total infrastructure material
cost for permanently installed top three materials used in infrastructure.
OR
Option 2. Purchase 40% by cost of permanently installed top five infrastructure materials (2 points)
Comply with one or more of the following criteria for minimum 40% of the total infrastructure material
cost for permanently installed top five materials used in infrastructure.
Include new construction or demolition works undertaken or contracted by the local government for a
period of one full calendar year. Infrastructure includes but is not limited to roads and highways, transits,
water supply and wastewater treatment plants, public spaces and parks.
Material used must meet at least one of the following sourcing and extraction requirements:
 Extended producer responsibility (EPR) - Products purchased from a manufacturer (producer)

that participate in an EPR program or is directly responsible for extended producer responsibility.
Products meeting EPR criteria are valued at 50% of their cost for the purpose of credit achievement
calculations.
 Leadership extraction practices – Material reuse – Reuse includes salvaged, refurbished or reused
materials/products. Materials meeting reuse criteria are valued 200% of their cost for the purpose of
credit achievement calculations.
 Leadership extraction practices – Recycled content – Materials meeting recycled content criteria
are valued 100% of their cost for the purpose of credit achievement calculations.
o Recycled content is the sum of postconsumer recycled content plus one half of pre-consumer
recycled content, based on weight.
o The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine
the recycled content value.
 Leadership extraction practices – USGBC approved program – Other USGBC approved program
meeting responsible sourcing and extraction criteria.

Reference:
LEED BD+C v4 MR Credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization- Sourcing of raw materials.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Raw material extraction and sourcing has a direct environmental impact on ecosystems. This credit
encourages the use of products and materials for which life-cycle information is available and that have
been extracted and sourced in a responsible manner. Extended producer responsibility programs can
close the material loop through a circular economy and promote take-back programs.
In addition to ensuring the responsible sourcing of virgin materials, teams are encouraged to reduce raw
material usage by selecting reused and recycled materials. Teams may also adhere to leadership
performance standards and certifications that encourage local sourcing. To recognize the rapidly
changing marketplace conditions for product and material transparency, this credit has an additional
“USGBC-approved program” criterion designed to recognize leadership certification programs that may
be developed in the future.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Total cost of construction (estimated) of infrastructure projects X
Identification of top three (or five) permanently installed materials and calculations
X
demonstrating these meet the point threshold.
Narrative describing sourcing and extraction strategies and potential vendors or
X
sources of materials to meet the specified requirement.
Demonstrate that city is using materials meeting one or more of the listed criteria for a minimum of 60%
by cost, of the total value of permanently installed top five materials used in infrastructure.

MR Credit: Smart Waste Management Systems

Intent
To improve efficiency of the waste management system.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Provide smart waste management systems using any or both of the following options listed below or
adopt the supporting policy to develop smart waste management systems for the city. Points are
awarded based on the percentage of total waste generated by the city which is handled by the smart
systems.
Table 7. Points for Smart Waste Management
Percentage of total waste generated by the city

Points
handled by the smart systems
50% 1
75% 2
Option 1. Pneumatic Transport Systems
 Loading Stations- Design public and private areas with hatches, called loading stations. Two pipes,
one for compostable and other for recyclable waste should run parallel underground.
 Transport Network- Design underground transport network with appropriate diameter (500mm) 3-
layer Polyethylene pipes. PVC conduits (compressed air and system communication) should run
parallel to waste pipes.
 Waste Handling and Processing Facility- All pipes shall be designed to transfer waste for
compaction. Through automated software this waste shall then be directed to proper container,
further trucked for recycling.
AND/ OR
Option 2. Smart Bin & Route Optimization

Submit a plan for route optimization for the waste transportation. The plan must include information
about sensor bin location and route optimization of waste vehicles moving within the city.
 Sensor Bins: Ultrasonic sensors installed in trash bins to guide fill level of waste and a
communication system will transfer this information to the cloud for further processing and analysis.
o Sensor Bins with Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for e-waste: Electronic waste
bins installed with ultrasonic sensors and RFID technology to automatically identify and track
tags attached to products. The tags containing electrically stored information will exchange
information between cloud and trucks for disposal or directly for the waste bins where the
information from each bin is conveyed to the cloud and product recycling can be eased.
 Route Optimization: Information analyzed at the cloud will be processed further and sent to waste
vehicle operators to optimize the fleet routing for waste collection.

Guidance
Behind the Intent
The world is on a trajectory where waste generation will drastically outpace population growth, by more
than double, by 2050. 55 Although there are improvements and innovations in solid waste management
globally, it is a complex issue requiring urgent action. This credit encourages cities to improve the
overall efficiency of waste management systems through comprehensive smart technologies, such as
pneumatic transport systems, cloud-based software connected to IoT smart sensors, and smart bin
technology.
Further Explanation
Total estimated waste generated from MR Prerequisite Solid Waste

X X
Management
Calculations demonstrating achievement of point threshold. X X
Narrative describing pneumatic transport system X
Narrative describing Smart bin and route optimization X
55
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management, accessed on December 17,
2018.
QUALITY OF LIFE (QL)
QL Prerequisite: Demographic Assessment
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To describe the population demographics and housing characteristics of the area.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Provide a comprehensive demographic plan that must include at least following population and
housing characteristics:
• Brief history of development, noting critical points of change for the overall area or specific
neighborhoods.
• Document current land use.
• Develop plan for relocation and rehabilitation of residing population if any. Address impact on
current means of livelihood and provide details on future means of livelihood.
• Age cohorts, including the following categories: Under 18 years, 18 years and over, and 65 years and
over.
• Prominent sociocultural groups present, such as migrants, religious groups, and linguistically
isolated. Include racial / ethnic composition if applicable.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
New cities and communities aim to attract new people. However, often there are existing settlements
and history associated with the land. This credit serves the dual purpose of examining the social effects
of infrastructure projects and other development interventions, as well as planning for the diverse needs
of future populations.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Narrative describing the demographic assessment X

QL Prerequisite: Social Infrastructure
 Cities
 Communities
Intent
To provide facilities and services to citizens that help meet their social needs, maximize their potential
for development, and enhance community well-being.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Provide social infrastructure listed below to meet or exceed the baseline requirements.
 Education: Provide infrastructure facilities for the following education categories:

o Secondary Education
o Higher Secondary Education
o Vocational Training
 Special Education: Infrastructure requirements to meet special need education, aided education or
exceptional education. In addition to above social infrastructure requirements, provide details on
adapted equipment and materials, technology and resource room.
 Skill Development: Training centers for skill development to support local economy.
 Health Care: Facilities for community health clinics, hospital activities including total bed capacity,
medical equipment and diagnostic laboratories.
 Community Development: Provide sports club/ centers and socio-cultural facilities like public
library, senior citizens center and museum for the residential population in the city.
 Safety and Security: Facilities of police stations and fire station in the city.
Baseline social infrastructure requirement for the city should be built on (i) existing codes, standards or
regulatory requirements (ii) published data or (iii) average of a minimum of three projects of similar
scope and size operating within the same geographical area or within a geographical area with similar
operating conditions.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Social infrastructure covers a range of services and facilities including health, education, safety and
security, community development, recreation, and emergency facilities. Easily accessible social
infrastructure and services directly affect the health and well-being of residents, help build inclusive
communities, and improve the livability of the area. This infrastructure provides opportunities for social
interaction and integration by offering a platform for people to come together. This credit encourages
new cities and communities to plan for social infrastructure to attract new residents to the area.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities

Table with baseline requirement vis-à-vis actual provided / planned for each of the X
social infrastructure element
X
Documentation supporting baseline development
X
Master Plan indicating the location of each of the social infrastructure elements

QL Prerequisite: Economic Growth
 Cities
Intent
To encourage development that will drive economic well-being of the residents.
Requirements
CITIES
Develop a comprehensive economic development plan for the city addressing all of the following:
 Feasibility or market analysis identifying the human capital and mapping it with the economic
sectors and clusters.
 Dedicated land areas and zones for economic activities. Plot size must match the requirements of
the specific sector.
 Provision of sector specific enabling infrastructure by the city governing body. (For example,
logistics hub for manufacturing sector)
 Small economic localization plan to increase local production for local consumption and export
Reference:
STAR V2 EJ-3: Local Economy Action 2
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Cities are the economic engines of most nations, and new cities are built to further economic growth.
This credit focuses on this economic aspect of the triple bottom line. It encourages cities to be
economically independent by analyzing and identifying the most appropriate growth sectors. Rather
than depending on local businesses in an ad-hoc manner or chasing emerging technologies, a market
analysis is required to leverage the existing regional strengths and expand related parts of the value
chain to reinforce the cluster and encourage innovation. Concentrating on targeted industry sectors
enables local economic development efforts to coordinate with complementary activities and initiatives
in the region and align with workforce development strategies. 56
Further Explanation
Documentation All cities
Annotated economic development plan for the city with sections addressing clearly
highlighted the feasibility analysis, sector specific enabling infrastructure and X
economic localization strategies.
Annotated map of economic zones and supporting infrastructure X
56 Adopted from STAR Communities V2 Technical Guide EJ-5: Targeted Industry Development

QL Credit: Affordable Housing
Intent
To provide access to housing at reasonable costs to sections of the society which are in need of
assistance.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Adopt a comprehensive housing policy for the city. The policy must address the following elements as
applicable:
 Higher density of residential units closer to transit hubs. Achieve a minimum of two points under TR
Credit Compact, Mixed Use and Transit Oriented Development.
 Land policies to ensure equitable balance for housing for all.
 For housing catering to the lower income groups, define basic socially acceptable standard housing
unit based on what is required for decent living. The floor space requirement for standard unit
based on building by-laws, regulatory constraints and market conditions. The definition should also
include minimum standards for basic amenities (running water, a toilet) as well as access to
essential social services such as schools and health clinics. An acceptable housing unit should also
place workers no more than an hour’s commute from centers of employment.
 Region specific guidance to developers on value engineering to improve capital productivity and
industrial or modular construction techniques to improve labor productivity and shorten delivery
time.
 Housing policies and regulations to support the implementation of strategies.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Many cities across the global today struggle with the dual challenges of housing their poorest citizens
and providing housing at a reasonable cost for low- and middle-income populations. This credit
encourages new cities to proactively plan for the housing needs of lower-income groups. While the
definition of affordable housing for these groups can vary among countries and governments, this credit
defines affordable housing based on mortgage payments. This credit requires the city to go beyond
land policies and explore additional affordability aspects, such as construction practices or value
engineering, that can keep housing prices affordable for all income levels.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Housing policy for the city highlighting the provision for affordable housing. X
QL Credit: Public Health

Intent
To promote health and wellness in the city.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Option 1. Outdoor Air Monitoring (2 points)

Monitor and publicly display the outdoor air quality in key residential, commercial, industrial and
sensitive areas based on the national or regional air quality monitoring standards. Each monitoring
station must monitor air quality data for minimum five pollutants including Ozone (O3), Particulate
Matter (PM2.5, PM10) and any of the three pollutants from - Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ammonia (NH3), Lead (Pb) or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
AND/OR
Option 2. Access to healthful food (2 points)

Provide permanent and accessible urban agriculture space of at least 2.5 square feet per capita
(0.25 square meter per capita) allocated within all residential zones through one or more of the
following (i) Community garden (ii) Edible landscaping with labeled plants and signage containing
harvesting guideline (iii) Small farm or orchard (iv) Private garden (v) Rooftop garden.
Areas allocated as Green Spaces under NS Prerequisite: Green Spaces may be used for the purpose
of urban agriculture.
OR
Adopt regulation to provide supermarkets or grocery stores selling fresh produce within all
residential zones. Within each residential zone, a minimum of 50% of the buildings must have access
within 1/4 mile (400 meter) walking distance.
AND/OR
Option 3. Active Lifestyle (2 points)

Provide access to a minimum of two of the following within all residential areas
• Athletic field and/or court.

• Trail network.
• Play space geared toward children (e.g., playground).
• All-weather fitness zone.
• Co-located adult and child physical activity space (e.g., a playground with an adult fitness zone).
Reference:
WELL Community Standard: Physical Activity Spaces

Guidance
Behind the Intent
Public health is fundamental to livability, yet the quality of health is profoundly influenced by factors
outside the traditional health care system. The social, economic, and physical conditions in which people
live, otherwise known as the social determinants of health, affect health-related choices and behaviors.
The knowledge and means to avoid toxic exposure and to access healthy food, physical activity
opportunities, and safe housing all contribute to an individual’s overall health. 57 This credit focuses on
maintaining healthy outdoor air quality, access to healthful food, and active lifestyles. Fostering health
and well-being of citizens is one of the fundamental principles of the rating system.
Further Explanation
Declaration from development authority stating the

X
requirements for outdoor air quality monitoring and display
will be met
Map of monitoring stations in residential, commercial, X
industrial and sensitive areas
Narrative describing potential strategies for publicly display X
of outdoor air quality
Calculations demonstrating achievement of point threshold X
for provision of urban agricultural space
Master Plan highlighting location of urban agricultural X
spaces
Policy, regulation or ordinance to provide supermarkets or
grocery stores selling fresh produce within all residential
X
zones. In addition, for each residential zone a minimum of
50% of the buildings must have access to fresh produce
within 1/4 mile (400 meter) walking distance.
Master Plan highlighting the location of the active lifestyle X
elements in each of the residential areas
57 STAR Communities V2 Technical Guide HS-2: Community Health

QL Credit: Emergency Management and
Response
Intent
To create sufficient capacity and capability to respond to emergency incidents and reduce its impact on
human life/health.
Requirements
CITIES, COMMUNITIES
Design the emergency management systems such that the emergency response time meets the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58 1710 and 1720 requirement of response time to be within
9 minutes of the dispatch notification or local, state or national equivalent for each of the following
emergencies:
 Fire
 Medical
 Police
 Special circumstances or operations as relevant for the city.
Guidance
Behind the Intent
This credit requires planning to ensure high-quality and adequate emergency response systems are in
place to respond during and immediately after emergency events take place. This credit affects and
informs the planning decisions for facilities such as fire stations, police stations, and hospitals. The
objective is closely aligned with that of NS Credit Resilience Planning. However, this credit focuses on
individual and community-specific emergencies, while the latter targets broader city-wide events.
Further Explanation
All cities and
Documentation
communities
Narrative describing the emergency management system X
58NFPA 1710- 2016, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency
Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-
and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1710
INNOVATION (IN)
IN Credit: Innovation

Intent
To encourage cities to achieve exceptional or innovative performance.
Requirements
One point is awarded for each Innovation credit achieved, up to a maximum of six. A city or community
may use any combination of the options below. Each option is equivalent to one point.
Option 1. Innovation (1-6 points)
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED
for Cities and Communities rating system.
Identify all of the following:
o Intent of the proposed innovation credit

o Proposed requirements for compliance
o Proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
o Design approach or strategies used to meet the requirements.
AND / OR
Option 2. Exemplary Performance (1-6 points)
Achieve exemplary performance in any of the LEED for Cities and Communities prerequisite or credit.
AND / OR
Option 3. GBCI Rating Systems (1-6 points)
Meet all of the requirements of a prerequisite or credit from any of the below rating systems at the city
or utility level. Credits included in their entirety in the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system
are not eligible.
o STAR Community Rating System v2, October 2016

o LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development, July 2017

o PEER Rating System v2, February 2018 59
o LEED for Transit
Guidance
Behind the Intent
Sustainable design is spurred forward by innovative strategies, as well as exceptional efforts that go
beyond minimum thresholds. When cities innovate and go beyond LEED requirements, they not only
achieve measurable environmental benefits beyond those specified by the LEED rating system, but can
also explore cutting-edge pilot credits and contribute to the development of future LEED credits. When
cities or communities can demonstrate that they exceed the standard level of performance associated
with one or more LEED credits, their innovation can inspire and motivate other teams in the future.
Further Explanation
Proposed credit language, including intent of the proposed
innovation credit, proposed requirements for compliance X
and proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
Documentation to support the design approach or
X
strategies used to meet the requirements
Identify the LEED for Cities and Communities prerequisite
X
or credit for exemplary performance
Identify the credit and provide all supporting
documentation as per the specific rating system X
prerequisite or credit requirement
59 The projects should choose credits/prerequisites of which they can fulfill all requirements.
REGIONAL PRIORITY (RP)
RP Credit: Regional Priority

Intent
To provide an incentive for the achievement of credits that address geographically specific socio-
economic and environmental priorities,
Requirements
Option 1: Regional Priority
One point is awarded for each Regional Priority credit achieved, up to a maximum of four.
 Identify the credit that is a regional priority. Refer to the credits under Regional Priority Credit
Lookup website (https://www.usgbc.org/rpc) for credits identified as regional priorities for specific
locations.
 Provide Background and context outlining the regional priority.
 Achieve the full points for respective LEED for Cities and Communities credit.
AND/OR
Option 2. Innovative Regional Priority
One point is awarded for each strategy, up to a maximum of four.
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance for a regional priority using a strategy not
addressed in the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system.
Identify all of the following:
 Intent of the proposed regional priority credit

 Provide Background and context outlining the regional priority.
 Proposed requirements for compliance
 Proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance
 Design approach or strategies used to meet the requirements.

Guidance
Behind the Intent
LEED cities and communities exist in diverse contexts. Climate, population density, and local regulations
can differ significantly from one location to another, making certain environmental issues more critical
than others. Examples include water conservation in arid climates versus rainwater management in wet
climates. LEED cities and communities can be more transformative if teams recognize their location’s
priority environmental issues and address them through design, construction, and operation choices.
LEED encourages a focus on regional issues through Regional Priority credits—existing LEED credits
that USGBC volunteers around the world have determined to be especially important in a given area
and result in a bonus point if achieved.
Narrative providing background and context outlining the regional
X
priority for the identified credit.
Credit write up including intent of the proposed innovation credit,
proposed requirements for compliance and proposed submittals to X
demonstrate compliance
Narrative providing background and context outlining the regional
X
priority for the identified credit.
Documentation to support the design approach or strategies used to
X
meet the requirements

Appendices
APPENDIX 1. DIVERSE USES
List of Diverse Uses
Category Use type

Supermarket
Food retail
Grocery with produce section
Convenience store
Farmers market
Community-serving
Hardware store
retail
Pharmacy
Other retail
Bank
Family entertainment venue (e.g., theater, sports)
Services Gym, health club, exercise studio

Hair care
Laundry, dry cleaner
Restaurant, café, diner (excluding those with only drive-thru service)
Adult or senior care (licensed)
Child care (licensed)
Community or recreation center
Cultural arts facility (museum, performing arts)
Education facility (e.g., K—12 school, university, adult education center,
vocational school, community college)
Government office that serves public on-site
Civic and Medical clinic or office that treats patients

community facilities
Place of worship
Police or fire station
Post office
Public library
Public park
Social services center
Open community spaces such as squares and plazas
Community anchor Commercial office
uses

A PPENDIX 2. LT CREDIT: INTERMODAL C ONNECTIVITY AND PLACEMAKING
(LEED v4 BD+C TRANSIT)
1–4 points
Intent
To encourage development in locations shown to have multimodal transportation choices or otherwise

reduced motor vehicle use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and other
environmental and public health harms associated with motor vehicle use.
Requirements
Option 1. Transit for Placemaking

Ensure that the station displays characteristics that will integrate a mixture of uses to connect people
and places and maximize utilization (1-3 points)
 Walkable Streets
 Compact Development
 Public Spaces and Cultural Opportunities
 Mixed Use
Table 1. Points for Placemaking Characteristics
Number of placemaking characteristics

Points
displayed by station
1 characteristic 1
2 characteristics 2
3-characteristics 3
4-characteristics 4
AND/OR
Option 2. Transit for People-moving: Intermodal Connections (1-4 points)

Ensure that the station is connected to three or more other modes of transportation and includes at
least 3 of 8 of the following intermodal connectivity features:
 Three or more bus routes at station

 Minimum of four short-term bicycle storage spaces at station
 Minimum two long-term bicycle storage spaces or valet at station or policies to allow bicycles
on transit systems
 Vehicle parking at station with carpool services provided
 Airport within one connection and total transit travel time of less than . . . 1.5 hours
 Regional or commuter rail within one connection and total transit travel time of less than . . . 1
hour
 Ferry within one connection
 Designated passenger drop off area

Table 2. Points for intermodal connections
Number of modal connections offered at

Points
station
3 connections 1
4 connections 2
5 connections 3
6+ connections 4

A PPENDIX 3. SLL CREDIT: BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION
(LEED v4 ND)
1–2 points
 Neighborhood Development Plan

 Neighborhood Development
Intent
To encourage the cleanup of contaminated lands and developing sites that have been identified as
contaminated.
Requirements
ND PLAN, ND (SLL)
Option 1. Brownfield Site (1 point)
At a project site identified as a brownfield or where soil or groundwater contamination has been
identified, and the local, state, or national authority (whichever has jurisdiction) requires its remediation,
perform remediation to the satisfaction of that authority.
OR
Option 2. High-Priority Redevelopment Area (2 points)
Achieve the requirements in Option 1.
AND
Locate the project in one of the following high-priority redevelopment areas:

 EPA National Priorities List
 Federal Empowerment Zone
 Federal Enterprise Community
 Federal Renewal Community
 Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Qualified Low-
Income Community (a subset of the New Markets Tax Credit Program)
 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Qualified Census Tract (QCT) or Difficult
Development Area (DDA)
 Or a local equivalent program administered at the national level for projects outside the U.S.

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What are the main components of LEED for Cities and Communities?

What are the main components of LEED for Cities and Communities?

What are some of the prerequisites and credits under the Natural Systems and Ecology category?

What are some of the prerequisites and credits under the Natural Systems and Ecology category?

LEED v4.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................... 9

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ................................................................................................................... 12

LEED FOR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES SCORECARD ........................................................................... 14

INTEGRATIVE PROCESS (IP) ................................................................................................................... 16

IP PREREQUISITE: INTEGRATIVE PLANNING AND DESIGN PROCESS ............................................... 16

IP CREDIT: GREEN BUILDING POLICY AND INCENTIVES ..................................................................... 18

NATURAL SYSTEMS AND ECOLOGY (NS) ............................................................................................ 20

NS PREREQUISITE: ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 20

NS PREREQUISITE: CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY POLLUTION PREVENTION ...................................... 22

NS PREREQUISITE: GREEN SPACES ....................................................................................................... 23

NS CREDIT: NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION ..................................... 25

NS CREDIT: LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION ......................................................................................... 29

NS CREDIT: RESILIENCE PLANNING ....................................................................................................... 31

TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE (TR) ..............................................................................................34

TR CREDIT: COMPACT, MIXED USE AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ...............................34

TR CREDIT: WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY ....................................................................................... 38

TR CREDIT: ACCESS TO QUALITY TRANSIT .......................................................................................... 41

TR CREDIT: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES ......................................................................................... 44

TR CREDIT: SMART MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY ...................................................... 46

TR CREDIT: HIGH-PRIORITY SITE ............................................................................................................48

WATER EFFICIENCY (WE) ...................................................................................................................... 50

WE PREREQUISITE: INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT ................................................................ 50

WE PREREQUISITE: WATER ACCESS AND QUALITY ........................................................................... 53

WE CREDIT: STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................... 56

2 U.S. Green Building Council

WE CREDIT: SMART WATER SYSTEMS .................................................................................................. 61

ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (EN) ............................................................................. 62

EN PREREQUISITE: POWER ACCESS, RELIABILITY AND RESILIENCY ............................................... 62

EN PREREQUISITE: ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT ......................... 65

EN CREDIT: ENERGY EFFICIENCY .......................................................................................................... 68

EN CREDIT: RENEWABLE ENERGY ........................................................................................................ 70

EN CREDIT: LOW CARBON ECONOMY .................................................................................................. 73

EN CREDIT: GRID HARMONIZATION ....................................................................................................... 74

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES (MR) ....................................................................................................... 76

MR PREREQUISITE: CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE MANAGEMENT ............................ 76

MR PREREQUISITE: SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 78

MR CREDIT: ORGANIC WASTE TREATMENT ......................................................................................... 82

MR CREDIT: RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................................... 85

MR CREDIT: RESPONSIBLE SOURCING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................ 87

MR CREDIT: SMART WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ........................................................................ 89

QUALITY OF LIFE (QL) ............................................................................................................................. 91

QL PREREQUISITE: DEMOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT ............................................................................... 91

QL PREREQUISITE: SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................... 92

QL PREREQUISITE: ECONOMIC GROWTH ............................................................................................ 94

QL CREDIT: AFFORDABLE HOUSING .....................................................................................................96

QL CREDIT: PUBLIC HEALTH ................................................................................................................... 97

QL CREDIT: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE .................................................................99

INNOVATION (IN) ................................................................................................................................... 100

IN CREDIT: INNOVATION ....................................................................................................................... 100

REGIONAL PRIORITY (RP) ..................................................................................................................... 102

3 U.S. Green Building Council

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................ 104

4 U.S. Green Building Council

Highlights of LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities

5 U.S. Green Building Council