Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, Washington, DC | LEED Platinum for Existing Community | Photo: A.E. Landes Photography
LEED for Communities provides architects, planners, real estate developers, corporations, and other professionals in the built environment with a powerful framework and guide for sustainable urban planning, design, development and improvement. With a focus on equity, economic development, and environmental preservation, incorporating strategies and solutions LEED for Communities is aimed at promoting net-zero practices and resilience in project planning and management.
LEED for Communities was developed by experts in the built environment industry and is utilized by architects, urban planners, real estate developers, and community development organizations such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NIDs), and Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs). The program applies specifically to places that don't necessarily have a formal governing body, such as corporate campuses, large-scale real estate developments, business improvement districts (BIDs), economic development zones, neighborhoods, campuses, airports, entertainment districts, universities, and military installations.
- Initiation: Certification can be initiated by various entities, such as developers, consultants, property owners, or community organizations.
- Focus: Existing projects, new developments, and redevelopments.
Project teams leverage this rating system to effectively plan, design, implement, manage and improve sustainability and resilience initiatives that enhance community outcomes. Projects that certify under the LEED for Communities rating system are designed to meet people's needs while improving their quality of life.
- Net zero priorities for energy, emissions, water and waste
- Social equity, environmental justice, human rights affordability, public health, safety, well-being at scale
- Resource conservation and ecosystem restoration
- Comprehensive planning, design, development, management and improvement guidance
Create places for people, prioritize sustainability and resilience, and preserve the environment
LEED for Communities provides a roadmap to help you create and develop economic, environmental, and social assets. Built by and for people, LEED for Communities helps you achieve meaningful results like attracting new economic activity, improving health outcomes, creating a financially viable project, meeting and exceeding climate and ESG goals and becoming more resilient.  
LEED for Communities provides a clear and proven approach to integrating sustainability and resilience initiatives. Certification creates opportunities to preserve the environment, creates equitable economic growth, and defines areas for prioritization while ensuring that you are benchmarking progress against global standards. An independent, third-party verification provides transparency and accountability toward sustainability and climate commitments.
The certification milestone builds momentum and buy-in among project designers, developers, and investors. Once certified, your project is well-positioned to thrive environmentally and financially. Take the opportunity to educate residents, visitors, and business owners about your progress and priorities and commit to continuous improvement on your sustainability journey.