Learn how to select the most sustainable site for LEED building projects. Discover key factors like brownfields, transit access and nearby services.
Table of Contents
Question
The project team is conducting a feasibility study of a building project. The developer has pre-qualified four potential sites that are all financially viable. Within the context of LEED, which site is the most applicable?
A. A brownfield site with no access to metro
B. A brownfield site in a national park with car access only
C. A greenfield site with access to public transport and proximity to grocery stores
D. A brownfield site with access to five lines of public transportation and basic services
Answer
The most LEED-applicable site among the four options is:
D. A brownfield site with access to five lines of public transportation and basic services
Explanation
From a LEED perspective, a brownfield site with access to multiple lines of public transportation and basic services would be the most applicable. Brownfield sites are previously developed sites that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution. Developing on these sites can help to clean up and revitalize the area. Access to public transportation reduces the need for private vehicle use, reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
LEED prioritizes building projects that remediate contaminated brownfield sites rather than developing on pristine greenfield land. Brownfield redevelopment helps clean up environmental contamination and allows development to occur on already disturbed land.
In addition, LEED rewards project locations that have good access to public transit and are near basic services like grocery stores, encouraging more sustainable transportation choices and walkable communities. Having five transit lines nearby provides excellent connectivity.
The other options are less ideal from a LEED perspective:
A) While a brownfield, it lacks transit access
B) In a protected national park and only accessible by car
C) Is a undeveloped greenfield site, despite having transit and amenities nearby
Therefore, the brownfield site with ample transit and services is the clear choice to maximize the project’s LEED sustainability.
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.