Green building is about more than just the design and construction of individual buildings - it's also about their placement and function within neighbourhoods, and how these neighbourhoods fit within the larger regional context. 

As the global popluation grows and more and more people move from rural to urban areas, there is an unprecedented need to devise innovative strategies to improve the sustainability of new and existing communities.  In addition to changes in population dynamics, local and global environmental concerns related to climate change, waste management, deteriorating urban air quality, urban sprawl, and loss of greenspace have also brought to light the fundamental need for change.  Current transportation use patterns, increased waste production and the replacement of green spaces with impervious surfaces are all major factors that contribute to these global impacts. 

The sustainability of a community is measured by the degree to which its design considers the environmental, economic and social well-being of residents, without impairing the ability of future generations to enjoy the same or better quality of life.  The objective of designing a sustainable community is to minimize negative impacts on the natural environment, maximize social benefits, and allow community members to realize a healthy and affordable lifestyle.

The phrase “compact, complete and connected” is often used to describe the sustainable community ideal.  It encompasses the importance of minimizing urban sprawl, facilitating walking and other alternative forms of transportation, and allowing residents to meet their basic daily needs within the community.  Select a category on the right to learn more about each of these attributes of a sustainable community.

The U.S. Green Building Council have developed the LEED for Neighbourhood Development Rating System to define and evaluate sustainable communities.  According to the USGBC, LEED-ND "integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design."  The Ballot Draft of the Rating System was approved in October 2009 and will be published shortly.  Click here to download the Draft Ballot of the LEED-ND Rating System.   

Image source: Waterfront Toronto, 2009.