LEED Categories

m r a
sa
Location and
Transportation

bou
Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy and
Atmosphere

d i a
s h a
Indoor Innovation Regional
Material and
Environmental Priority Credits
Resources
Quality
Shadi Abou Samra
Sustainable Sites

a
• Located within or near existing development to leverage existing infrastructure and

r
provide basic services to occupants.

sa m
• Priority for previously developed sites to minimize the degradation of greenfield sites.

bou
d i a
s h a
Shadi Abou Samra
Boundaries
• Building footprint: area of the building structure
that is defined by the perimeter of the building

a
plan.(Pavement, landscaping and other non

r
building facilities are not included)

sa m
• Development footprint: Area of the site impacted

u
by the project, which includes parking,

o
landscaping, roads and other facilities in addition

b
to the building.

d i a
s h a • Project boundary: Platted property line of the
project.

• LEED project boundary: The portion of the project

site submitted for LEED certification.

Shadi Abou Samra

Location and Transportation

m r a
sa
bou
d i a
s h a
Shadi Abou Samra
Sensitive Land Protection

Intent

m r a
sa
Avoid the development of environmentally sensitive lands

u
and reduce the environmental impact from the location

o
of a building on a site.

i ab
h a d
s
Shadi Abou Samra
Sensitive Land Protection

Requirements

Option 1.

m r a
sa
Locate the development footprint on land that has been previously developed.

OR

bou
d i a
a
Option 2.

s h
Locate the development footprint on land that has been previously developed or on land which
does not meet the criteria for sensitive land.

Shadi Abou Samra

Sensitive Land Protection
Criteria for Sensitive Land:

a
• Prime farmland:

Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5

m r
Defined by the United States Department of Agriculture in the US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7,

• Floodplains:

sa
u
A flood hazard shown on a legally adopted flood hazard map, by local jurisdiction / state. For

bo
projects with no legal designations, locate on a site outside any floodplain subject to a chance of

a
flooding ≥ 1%

d i
• Habitat:

a
Land specifically identified as habitat for any species on threatened or endangered lists on Federal

s h
or State lists.
• Water bodies:
Previously undeveloped land that is within 100 feet (30m) of a water body (sea, lake, river, stream,
etc.).
• Wetlands:
Within 50 feet (15m) of any wetlands or areas of special concern.
Shadi Abou Samra
High-Priority Site

Intent

m r a
sa
Encourage project location in areas with development constraints and

u
promote the health of the surrounding area.

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
High-Priority Site

Requirements

OPTION 1. HISTORIC DISTRICT

m r a
sa
Locate the project on an infill (previously developed ≥ 75% of total land) location in a historic district.

OR

bou
i a
OPTION 2. PRIORITY DESIGNATION (mainly US-based)

d
a
EPA National Priorities List, Federal Empowerment Zone, Federal Enterprise / Renewal Community site.

OR
s h
OPTION 3. BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION
Locate on a brownfield where the local, state, or national authority requires its remediation. Either
remediate the site OR select a remediated site.

Shadi Abou Samra

High-Priority Site

What is a Brownfield?

r a
Real property whose use may be complicated by the presence or possible presence of hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

m
sa
u
What is… a brownfield site?

bo
• Any land in the US that is abandoned, idled, or under used because redevelopment is

a
complicated by environmental contamination that is either real or perceived.

a d i
h
• Brownfields do not pose serious health or environmental threat. Instead they represent an

s
economic or social threat, since they prevent development & therefore stifle local economies.

• Contaminated soils or brownfields can be remediated in a variety of ways, consider cost/benefits

and potential tax incentives

Shadi Abou Samra

Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses

Intent

m r a
sa
Conserve land and protect farmland and wildlife

ou
habitat by encouraging development in areas with

b
existing infrastructure. Promote walkability, and

a
transportation efficiency and reduce vehicle distance

d i
travelled. Improve public health by encouraging daily

a
physical activity.

s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses
Requirements - NC, CS, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Hospitality

a
Category Use Type

r
OPTION 2. DIVERSE USES

m
Food Retail Supermarket

sa
Locate the project where the building’s Other food service with produce section

u
Main entrance is within a 1/2 mile Convenience store

bo
(800-meter) walking distance of the Farmers market

a
Community- Hardware store

i
main entrance of four to seven (1 point)
serving retail

d
or eight or more (2 points) existing and

a
Pharmacy

h
publicly available diverse uses.

s
Other retail
Bank
Family entertainment
Gym, health club, exercise studio
Services Hair care
Laundry
Shadi Abou Samra
Restaurant
Access to Quality Transit

Intent

m r a
sa
Encourage development in locations shown to have

u
multimodal transportation choices or otherwise reduced

o
motor vehicle use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas

b
emissions, air pollution, and other environmental and public

a
health harms associated with motor vehicle use.

a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Access to Quality Transit

Requirements – NC, CS, Data Centers, Warehouse and

r a
Distribution Centers, Hospitality

sa
Locate any functional entry of the project within walking
m
u
distance:

bo
• 1/4-mile (400-meter) of bus, streetcar, or rideshare stops
OR

a
i
• 1/2-mile (800-meter) of bus rapid transit stops, rail stations,

d
ferry terminals.

s h a
• Planned stops and stations may count if they are sited,
funded, under construction and are complete within 24
months of that date.

Shadi Abou Samra

Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms

Intent

m r a
a
Promote bicycling and transportation efficiency and reduce

s
vehicle distance travelled. Improve public health by

u
encouraging utilitarian and recreational physical activity.

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms
Requirements - NC, CS, Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution
Centers, Hospitality

Bicycle Storage and Shower Rooms

m r a
sa
Case 1. Commercial or Institutional Projects

u
• Provide short-term bicycle storage for at least 2.5% of all peak

o
visitors, but no fewer than four storage spaces per building.

b
• Provide long-term bicycle storage for at least 5% of all regular

a
building occupants, but no fewer than four storage spaces per

i
building in addition to the short-term bicycle storage spaces.

a d
• Provide at least one on-site shower with changing facility for the

h
first 100 regular building occupants and one additional shower for

s
every 150 regular building occupants thereafter.

Shadi Abou Samra

Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms
Requirements - NC, CS, Data Centers, Warehouses and Distribution Centers,
Hospitality

• Identify total building users per occupancy types

m r a
a
• Calculate the number of secure bicycle spaces required
• Calculate the number of showers required

u s
abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Green Vehicles

Intent

m r a
sa
Reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally

u
fuelled automobiles.

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Green Vehicles

Requirements – NC, CS, Data Centers, Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare

m r a
a
• Designate 5% of all parking spaces used by the project as

s
preferred parking for green vehicles.

ou
• Green vehicles must achieve a minimum green score of 45 on the

b
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

i a
annual vehicle rating guide*.

h a d
• A discounted parking rate of at least 20% for green vehicles is an

s
acceptable substitute for preferred parking spaces. The
discounted rate must be publicly posted at the entrance of the
parking area and permanently available to every qualifying
vehicle.

Shadi Abou Samra

Green Vehicles

Requirements – NC, CS, Data Centers, Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare

In addition to preferred parking for green vehicles, meet one of the

following two options for alternative-fuel fuelling stations:

m r a
sa
u
OPTION 1. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

o
• Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 2% of all

b
parking spaces used by the project

d i a
OPTION 2 - LIQUID, GAS, OR BATTERY FACILITIES

a
• Install liquid or gas alternative fuel fuelling

h
facilities or a battery switching station capable

s
of refuelling a number of vehicles per day equal
to at least 2% of all parking spaces.

Shadi Abou Samra

Practice Questions

What is a brownfield?

A. A contaminated site

m r a
B. A site without vegetation

sa
u
C. A site that has been graded
D. A site without grass

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Practice Questions

What is a brownfield?

A. A contaminated site

m r a
B. A site without vegetation

sa
u
C. A site that has been graded
D. A site without grass

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Practice Questions

What generally defines the LEED project boundary?

A. Area of disturbance and all surrounding roadways

m r a
sa
u
B. Building footprint and hardscapes

abo
i
C. Site boundary

h a d
s
D. Building footprint

Shadi Abou Samra

Practice Questions

What generally defines the LEED project boundary?

A. Area of disturbance and all surrounding roadways

m r a
sa
u
B. Building footprint and hardscapes

abo
i
C. Site boundary

h a d
s
D. Building footprint

Shadi Abou Samra

Practice Questions

An office project will have an estimated 200 employees working full-time. How many long-term bicycle

a
storage spaces will be required?

m r
sa
A. 2

u
B. 4

bo
C. 5

i a
D. 10

a d
E. 20

s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Practice Questions

An office project will have an estimated 200 employees working full-time. How many long-term bicycle

a
storage spaces will be required?

m r
sa
A. 2

u
B. 4

bo
C. 5

i a
D. 10

a d
E. 20

s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Practice Questions

A vehicle must meet which requirement to be considered low emitting and fuel efficient?

A. Green-e score of 45 or more

m r a
B. Green Seal score of 45 or more

sa
u
C. Green Label score of 45 or more
D. Green score of 45 or more

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra
Practice Questions

A vehicle must meet which requirement to be considered low emitting and fuel efficient?

A. Green-e score of 45 or more

m r a
B. Green Seal score of 45 or more

sa
u
C. Green Label score of 45 or more
D. Green score of 45 or more

abo
a d i
s h
Shadi Abou Samra