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Oakland, Philadelphia, 6 other cities to get free advice on LEED-ND

Philadelphia, Oakland and six other U.S. cities will get free help this year from sustainable building and development experts with an eye toward the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standard for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). The others are Dearborn, Mich.; Eden Prairie, Minn.; Greensboro, N.C.; Lafayette, Ind.; Lakewood, Colo.; and Louisville, Ky.
Jan. 19, 2012
2 min read

Philadelphia, Oakland and six other U.S. cities will get free help this year from sustainable building and development experts with an eye toward the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standard for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). The others are Dearborn, Mich.; Eden Prairie, Minn.; Greensboro, N.C.; Lafayette, Ind.; Lakewood, Colo.; and Louisville, Ky. The goal is to help cities understand how to transform urban communities into places that offer a balanced mix of residential, commercial, and recreational areas that are easily accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transportation users.

Unlike most other LEED certifications, LEED-ND applies to areas with multiple buildings (at least two) and was designed for up to 320 acres, though larger areas can earn the designation. LEED-ND requires at least one green building along with additional water, energy, and construction activity waste reductions for new buildings or major renovations. (Click here for an overview of LEED-ND.)

The consultants will spend three days in each city and then make recommendations on infrastructure and policy changes intended to further development of sustainable communities. The consultations are being provided by the nonprofit Global Green USA through funding from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. Cities were selected based on factors that included the strength of sustainability projects they have planned, the level of community engagement, urgency, and need for help.
(http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/12/29/philly-oakland-among-cities-winning-advice-green-development)

NOTE: This information is the opinion of the author/blogger and not the official position of IAPMO.
 

About the Author

Dwight Perkins

Dwight Perkins is the Senior Director of Field Operations for the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and orchestrates the code adoption efforts of 11 other IAPMO Field Service regions as well as directly working with the state code agencies in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon. Mr. Perkins has more than 35 years experience in the plumbing industry starting as an Apprentice in Alaska moving through the ranks to become a Journeyman Plumber and Business Manager of with UA Local 262. Prior to joining IAPMO, Perkins served in the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly while worked as Deputy Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He is extremely familiar with the demands jurisdictions face on a daily basis and he is particularly well suited to address those needs. Mr. Perkins may be contacted at IAPMO at 503-982-1193 or email [email protected]
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