Learn about smart growth principles in LEED, such as protecting open space and farmland by building housing and transportation options near jobs, shops and schools. Prepare for the LEED Green Associate exam with expert explanations.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following project characteristics demonstrate smart growth principles?
A. The project is built on a former chemical landfill site
B. The project consists of a sprawling new housing complex 5 mi. (8 km) from the nearest city
C. The project consists of two adult care facilities, three senior center facilities and one nursing home
D. The project protects open space and farmland by building housing and offering transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools
Answer
The answer that best demonstrates smart growth principles is:
D. The project protects open space and farmland by building housing and offering transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools
Explanation
Smart growth principles aim to create livable, walkable, and sustainable communities that reduce sprawl, preserve natural resources, and enhance quality of life. One of the principles is to foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place by mixing land uses, providing a range of housing opportunities and choices, creating walkable neighborhoods, and encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. The project that protects open space and farmland by building housing and offering transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools exemplifies this principle.
Smart growth is an approach to development that encourages a mix of building types and uses, diverse housing and transportation options, development within existing neighborhoods, and community engagement. The key principles of smart growth include:
- Mix land uses
- Take advantage of compact design
- Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
- Create walkable neighborhoods
- Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
- Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
- Direct development towards existing communities
- Provide a variety of transportation choices
- Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
- Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
Of the options provided, only D aligns with these smart growth principles. Building housing and providing transportation options in proximity to jobs, shops, and schools helps protect open space and farmland from sprawling development. It encourages walkable, livable communities and gives people transportation alternatives to driving.
In contrast:
- Building on a former landfill site (A) is an example of brownfield redevelopment, which can be sustainable, but doesn’t necessarily demonstrate smart growth.
- A sprawling housing complex far from the city (B) goes against smart growth principles of compact development and proximity to existing communities.
- Adult care and senior living facilities (C) provide important housing options, but this alone doesn’t comprehensively represent smart growth.
So in summary, Option D is the best example of a project demonstrating the key tenets of smart growth according to the principles encouraged by LEED and the USGBC. The other options may have some sustainable elements, but don’t align as fully with the smart growth approach.
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.