A Citizen’s Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development

Have you ever wondered whether or not a proposal for new development was a good idea, whether it was environmentally friendly, and whether or not you should support it? A Citizen's Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development is a hands-on introduction that NRDC developed for local environmental groups, smart growth organizations, neighborhood residents and just about anyone interested in making our communities better and greener. The principles embodied in LEED-ND can be applied to situations other than those in which a development is seeking certification.

While the formal LEED-ND process is a technical one, the Citizen's Guide is user-friendly and accessible, to help anyone learn the highest environmental standards for green land development and become an advocate for implementing these standards in their own communities. The Citizen's Guide empowers you, the citizen, to provide innovative ways to improve your own community. We hope this guide for citizens will help promote greater widespread adoption of sustainable practices in more inclusive, healthy, and environmentally sound places for everyone.