The first-ever national standard in neighborhood design launched this month, integrating smart growth, urbanism and green building into a new rating system for neighborhood development. Expanding on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the widely trumpeted green development certification, LEED-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) is soliciting projects for its pilot phase that combine green building standards with healthy community design.

The program is a powerful affirmation that environmental sustainability is best achieved by incorporating high performance buildings in compact, walkable and mixed-used neighborhoods. LEED-ND is a joint venture of the US Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Criterion for determining LEED-ND certification—awarded by an independent, third party authority—is the result of a multi-year research and review process.

Since its debut in 2000, LEED set a new standard that has improved building and energy performance. More than 5,300 projects have registered for the green building distinction and some 734 are LEED certified, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The launch of a pilot program for LEED-ND expands this approach to reward efficient land use and healthy community development practices.

To participate in the project, complete the expression of interest forms by April 6, 2007.

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