OVERVIEW
Buildings don’t stand alone; they’re part of a community. If the fabric of that community supports goals like walkability and cycling, then efforts within the buildings to support those activities can really make a difference.
Lighting of public spaces, multifunctional “complete streets,” a good mix of populations and occupancies, and more are key to creating vibrant communities that support healthy, low-impact lifestyles.
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
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“Reinventing Cities” Awards Innovative Urban Projects
News Brief
Projects from six cities around the world demonstrate de-carbonization, resilience, and replicability.
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Community-Scale Sustainability: Accelerating Change for People and Planet
Feature Article
By working at the neighborhood scale, designers and developers can more dramatically improve environmental performance and social equity.
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The Green Urban Future Is Taking Shape in Toronto
News Analysis
Sidewalk Labs is validating strategies for carbon-neutral neighborhoods—and finding valuable lessons for any urban development in the process.
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The Death and Rebirth of DC Power
Feature Article
Direct current is replacing AC in microgrids and other setups that maximize the efficiency of lighting, HVAC, and onsite renewables.
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The Problem with Net-Zero Buildings (and the Case for Net-Zero Neighborhoods)
Feature Article
It can be tough to make an individual building into a zero energy building, while working at the community scale can offer up opportunities for energy efficiency and cost-effective renewable energy generation.
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Thinking Beyond Buildings: LEED for Neighborhood Development
Feature Article
LEED for Neighborhood Development is not yet final, but it's already clear that it's a different type of rating system. Lessons from the pilot projects show that cooperation among team members and with the local government is essential to a successful project.
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Climate Justice Heats Up in NYC
News Analysis
A new report describes how rezoning and planning efforts can address the urban heat-island effect in a vulnerable Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood.
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Certified Communities: When Greening Neighborhoods One Building at a Time Isn’t Enough
Primer
A comparison of community-scale certification programs.
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Washington, D.C. First to Achieve LEED at Citywide Scale
News Analysis
The city is first to earn a Platinum LEED for Cities certification, leveraging information technology to track progress toward a range of sustainability goals.
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Analyze a Neighborhood with the Touch of a Button
News Brief
Opportunity360 scores neighborhoods on health, affordability, transportation, and more.
