Smart growth is not a new concept to those involved in planning and development here in the city. However, it is acknowledged that smart growth is a buzzword that isn’t easily defined. However, we now have one definition from the USGBC, in partnership with the National Resources Defense Council and Congress for the New Urbanism, in the form of LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development). The program has completed the pilot phase and is expected to launch this summer.
The above links are fairly comprehensive and an easy read. But, to summarize the main points, LEED-ND seeks projects that “encourage healthy living” by creating walkable communities (read mixed-use), “reduce urban sprawl” by increasing density and reusing existing structures, and “increase transportation choice/decrease automobile dependence”.
There were 9 projects from Virginia that participated in LEED-ND during the pilot phase. Nearly all of them were in northern Virginia, one was in Charlottesville. As of August 5, only one had been certified; Reston Heights achieved a silver rating.
There are two ways to approach LEED-ND. One is that we don’t need an outside group telling us what development is “smart” for OUR city and that we are perfectly capable of being “smart” on our own. The other is that third-party certification gives us credibility and drawing on the knowledge of these organizations that study “smart growth” issues can only be beneficiary. I find myself going back and forth between these attitudes and imagine that many others do as well.
Despite our attitudes regarding certification process the good thing is (big picture) the definitions are getting clearer, consensus is growing, building science and economics are agreeing, and we have better tools to development good communities in our urban settings.
Now, if we just didn’t have this recession thing…
