Learn which types of sites are most appropriate for LEED green building projects. Discover the benefits of developing on brownfields vs greenfields, floodplains, and undeveloped land.
Table of Contents
Question
Which type of site is appropriate for development of LEED projects?
A. Floodplain
B. Greenfield
C. Brownfield
D. Undeveloped
Answer
The most appropriate type of site for development of LEED projects is:
C. Brownfield
Explanation
A brownfield site is appropriate for development of LEED projects because it is a site that has been previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated by pollutants or hazardous substances.
Developing a brownfield site can help reduce environmental impacts, such as soil erosion, habitat loss, and water consumption, by reusing existing infrastructure and restoring degraded land. LEED projects can earn credits for developing on brownfield sites under the Sustainable Sites category.
A brownfield is a previously developed site that may have some environmental contamination from prior industrial or commercial use, but has potential for redevelopment. LEED encourages building on brownfield sites for several reasons:
- It avoids development on previously undisturbed land like greenfields, preserving natural habitats and resources. LEED awards points for protecting greenfield sites.
- Remediating and redeveloping contaminated brownfields improves environmental and human health compared to leaving the land polluted and unused. LEED provides points for brownfield remediation.
- Developing brownfields often means building in urban areas near existing infrastructure, transit, and amenities. This aligns with LEED’s emphasis on locating projects in dense, connected areas to reduce transportation impacts.
In contrast, the other options are generally discouraged or prohibited for LEED projects:
A. Floodplains – Building in 100-year floodplains is prohibited in LEED due to risks of flood damage and impacts on the floodplain’s natural functions. Points are awarded for avoiding floodplain development.
B. Greenfields – Previously undeveloped sites with no contamination. While allowed, building on greenfields is discouraged in LEED. No points are awarded and projects must meet requirements to limit disturbance of soils and natural areas.
D. Undeveloped – A broad category that could include both greenfields and more ecologically sensitive lands like old-growth forests, wetlands, grasslands, etc. LEED generally discourages or prohibits projects on undeveloped sensitive sites, with some exceptions like locating renewable energy equipment.
In summary, brownfields are the most appropriate and encouraged option for LEED projects, offering opportunities to locate projects sustainably while restoring the environment and boosting urban revitalization. The LEED system incentivizes brownfield redevelopment while discouraging building on undeveloped greenfields and prohibiting development in sensitive areas like floodplains.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.