LEED-ND

This carries some symbolism. When it comes to sustainable communities, the architecture profession has been both hero and villain. It has been a hero because many of the early (and continuing) leaders of smart growth and sustainability in our built environment have been architects, from William McDonough to Peter Calthorpe, from Andres Duany to David Dixon. Frankly, in my opinion, architects were way ahead of the environmental community in forging solutions to sprawl. And it's a good thing that they were, because they gave us environmentalists something positive to advocate.

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For architecture at least, LEED for Neighborhood Development has changed the game. Created by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Congress for the New Urbanism, LEED-ND evaluates both a development's internal environmental performance and that of its context, resulting in a far more true green rating. I've written extensively about the system and needn't repeat myself here. Suffice it to say that, while nothing is perfect, LEED-ND is a great start to defining what is smart about smart growth and what is green about true green development.

But LEED-ND, its 56 technical prerequisites and credits, its 47-page "certification policy manual" and 400-page "reference guide," are not for those short on time and patience for hyper-precise measurement, or for planning and construction trivia. As good as the system is for technical evaluation, it is lousy as a public relations instrument.

All sorts of responses have cropped up to address that shortcoming, to develop additional tools that use the basics if not all the details of LEED-ND to enhance public understanding of what makes for good, green neighborhood development. They include, for example, NRDC's forthcoming Citizen's Guide to LEED-ND and a slew of products developed by USGBC (such as this slideshow).

But the best to reach the public so far is Neighborhoods Go Green!, the brainchild of architect Doug Farr. It was developed by Farr Associates in partnership with USGBC and the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Its run in Washington will extend through April 21, after which it will travel to additional (but currently unspecified) locations.

Using large, mural-scaled displays, the highly visual exhibit is designed to reward both the casual passer-by and the more sophisticated planning or sustainability junkie. Its graphics, which include a model green neighborhood, take the viewer through the following topics:

• Selecting a Smart Site. Where are the best locations for new green neighborhoods? Learn why selecting a site near schools, commercial centers, and existing infrastructure such as public transit is critical to creating sustainable communities.
• Creating Lively Places. How do we design vibrant neighborhoods? Discover how a compact, walkable layout and a mix of shops and housing make lively places.
• Integrating Buildings and Infrastructure. How can buildings and infrastructure work together to reduce waste and save energy? See how innovative water management and energy conservation strategies create greater sustainability than green buildings can achieve alone.
• Rating the Neighborhood. How are green neighborhoods certified? Learn more about the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system designed by the U.S. Green Building Council and its partners.
• Designing a Model Green Neighborhood. What does a green community look like? Explore a detailed rendering of a model neighborhood that incorporates sustainable design practices.