4. Sustainable SitesKIBERT CHAPTER 8 SBLT 101 FALL 2016

IntroductionMany disciplines are required to create

successful site and landscape designs:

◦ Architects

◦ Landscape Architects

◦ Civil Engineers

◦ Construction Managers

Buildings can contribute to an ecosystem and function synergistically with nature by:

◦ Optimizing use of the site

◦ Being highly integrated with the local ecosystem

◦ Showing consideration of the site’s geology, topography, solar location, hydrology, and wind patterns

◦ Minimizing impacts during construction and operation

◦ Employing landscaping that is both functional and beautiful and restorative

Land approaches for green buildingsParticular problems and questions:

◦ What can be learned from nature and ecology that can be applied to buildings?

◦ Should ecology serve as model or metaphor for green buildings?

◦ How can natural systems be directly incorporated to improve the functioning of the built environment?

◦ How can the human-nature interface best be managed for the benefit of both systems?

◦ When does the natural system metaphor break down, and, if it does, what are the alternative approaches?

Land use issuesIn its simplest form, design can be defined as “…the intentional shaping of matter, energy, and process to meet a perceived end or desire.”

It is clear that this human designed and engineered landscape often replaces the natural landscape with unrecyclable and toxic products produced by wasteful industrial processes that were implemented with little regard for the consequences for humans or ecological systems.

Ecological design can be defined as – that which transforms matter and energy using processes that are compatible and synergistic with nature and that are modeled on natural systems.

The disconnect between human design and nature is precisely the problem that high-performance green building seeks to address.

Prime Farmland

Greenfields

Greenfields

Brownfields

Floodplains

Threatened or Endangered SpeciesClockwise from top left:

1. Cerulean Warbler

2. Hole Bergamot

3. Cheat Mountain Salamander

4. Virginia Spirea

Green Roofs

2 Types of Green RoofsEXTENSIVE INTENSIVE

Low-Impact DevelopmentUse existing and valuable features – cultural, natural, architectural, historical

Let natural resources work – natural drainage systems, for example

Use green infrastructure and natural landscaping

Reduce impervious surfaces

Tree preservation

Reduce lawn areas and increase planted areas

Bioswales to help capture rainwater

Buffers and conservation easements

Location and Transportation Category16 Total Points, No Prerequisites

Credit: LEED for Neighborhood DevelopmentINTENT

To avoid development on inappropriate sites.

To reduce vehicles miles traveled.

To enhance livability and improve human health by encouraging daily physical activity.

Credit: LEED for Neighborhood DevelopmentREQUIREMENTS (8-16 pts.)

Locate the project within the boundary of a development certified under LEED for Neighborhood Development. Achieving this credit means projects are not eligible to earn points under other LT credits.

Points are awarded based on level of LEED ND certification and based on rating system being used for the project.

Credit: Sensitive Land ProtectionINTENT

To avoid development of environmentally sensitive lands and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.

Credit: Sensitive Land ProtectionREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Option 1

Locate the building on land that has been developed.

Credit: Sensitive Land ProtectionREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Option 2

Locate the building on land that has been developed or that does not meet the following definitions: Prime Farmland

Floodplain

Endangered or Threatened Habitat

Near Bodies of Water

Near Wetlands

Credit: Sensitive Land ProtectionREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Option 2

Some minor improvements within the wetland and water body buffers are allowed: Bicycle and pedestrian paths

Activities to restore natural hydrology

Grade changes to ensure public access

Removing minimal amount of trees

Brownfield remediation activities

Credit: High-Priority SiteINTENT

To encourage project location in areas with development constraints and promote the health of the surrounding area.

Credit: High-Priority SiteREQUIREMENTS (1-2 pts.)

Option 1: Historic District (1 pt.)

Locate the project on an infill location in a historic district.

Option 2: Priority Designation (1 pt.)

Locate the project within one of the following: EPA National Priorities List

Federal Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, or Renewal Community

New Markets Tax Credit Program

USDA Difficult Development Area

Option 3: Brownfield Remediation (2 pts.)

Credit:Surrounding Density and Diverse UsesINTENT

To conserve land and protect farmland and wildlife habitat by encouraging development in areas with existing infrastructure.

To promote walkability, transportation efficiency, and reduce vehicle distance traveled.

To improve public health by encouraging daily physical activity.

Credit:Surrounding Density and Diverse UsesREQUIREMENTS (1-5 pts.)

Option 1: Surrounding Density (2-3 pts.)

Locate on a site where the surrounding density within ¼ mile of the project meets the following requirements:

Credit:Surrounding Density and Diverse UsesREQUIREMENTS (1-5 pts.)

Option 2: Diverse Uses (1-2 pts.)

Construct or renovate a building or space within a building where the main entrance is within a ½ mile walking distance of the main entrance of at least 4 existing and publicly available diverse uses, such as:

Grocery Store Farmers Market Hardware Store

Pharmacy Other retail Bank

Entertainment venue Gym or health club Hair salon or barber

Laundromat or dry cleaner Restaurant Child care facility

Community center Cultural arts center School

Gov’t. office that serves the public Medical clinic Place of worship

Police/fire station Post office Library

Credit: Access to Quality TransitINTENT

To encourage development in locations shown to have multimodal transportation choices or otherwise reduced motor vehicle use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and other environmental and public health harms associated with motor vehicle use.

Credit: Access to Quality TransitREQUIREMENTS (1-5 pts.)

Locate any entry of the project within a ¼ mile walking distance of existing or planned bus, streetcar or rideshare stops

OR

Within a ½” mile walking distance of existing or planned light or commuter rail stations.

Both weekday and weekend trips minimums must be met.

Paired route service.

Credit: Bicycle FacilitiesINTENT

To promote bicycling and transportation efficiency and reduce vehicle distance traveled.

To improve public health by encouraging utilitarian and recreational physical activity.

Credit: Bicycle FacilitiesREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Bicycle Network

Locate the project so that an entry or bicycle storage area is within 200-yard walking distaorbicycling distance from a bicycle network that connects to at least 1 of the following: 10 diverse uses

School or business if the project is residential

Light rail or commuter rail station

Planned bicycle trails or lanes may be counted if they are fully funded by the time the project is completed and scheduled for completion 1 year later.

Credit: Bicycle FacilitiesREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Bicycle Storage and Shower Rooms

Case 1: Commercial or Institutional Projects Provide short term bicycle storage for 2.5% of peak visitors (4 spaces min.)

Provide long term bicycle storage for 5% of regular building occupants (4 spaces min.)

Provide 1 shower/changing area for 1st 100 occupants + 1 for every 150 occupants thereafter

Case 2: Residential Projects Provide short term bicycle storage for 2.5% of peak visitors (4 spaces min.)

Provide long term bicycle storage for 30% of regular building occupants (at least 1/unit)

Case 3: Mixed-Use Projects Meet Case 1 and Case 2 requirements for each area.

Credit: Reduced Parking FootprintINTENT

To minimize the environmental harms associated with parking facilities, including automobile dependence, land consumption, and rainwater runoff.

Credit: Reduced Parking FootprintREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Do not exceed local code requirements for parking capacity. In other words, the project’s maximum parking spaces must be less than or equal to minimum code requirements.

Case 1: Projects that have NOT earned points under Surrounding Density or Quality Transit credits must achieve 20% reduction in parking ratios.

Case 2: Projects that HAVE earned points under Surrounding Density or Quality Transit credits must achieve 40% reduction in parking ratios.

Parking ratios are based on the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ Transportation Planning Handbook.

How to reduce parking demand? Locate project where occupants can walk, ride a bicycle or take public transit. Provide incentives for carpooling.

Credit: Green VehiclesINTENT

To reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fueled automobiles.

Credit: Green VehiclesREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Designate 5% of all parking spaces as preferred parking for green vehicles. (Green vehicles have a minimum score of 45 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy rating guide –www.greenercars.org.)

Option 1: Electric Vehicle Charging

Provide charging stations in 2% of all parking spaces.

Option 2: Liquid, Gas or Battery Facilities

Provide alternative fueling facilities for 2% of all parking spaces.

Sustainable Sites Category10 Total Points, 1 Prerequisite

Prerequisite: Construction Activity Pollution PreventionINTENT

To reduce pollution from construction activities by contolling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust.

Prerequisite: Construction Activity Pollution PreventionREQUIREMENTS

Create and implement an erosion and sedimentation control plan.

Types of activities or requirements include: Providing natural buffers

Installing perimeter controls

Minimizing dust

Minimizing the disturbance of steep slopes

Preserving topsoil

Protecting storm drains

Emergency spill notifications

Fertilizer discharge restrictions

Credit: Site AssessmentINTENT

To assess site conditions before design to evaluate sustainable options and inform related decisions about site design.

Credit: Site AssessmentREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Complete and document a site survey that includes the following information: Topography – contour mapping, unique topographic features, slope stability

Hydrology – flood hazards, wetlands, streams, rainwater collection possiblities

Climate – solar exposure, seasonal sun angles, prevailing winds, monthly temps/precipitation

Vegetation – primary types, significant tree mapping, endangered species, unique habitats

Soils – farmland, healthy soils, previous development

Human Use – views, transportation options, adjacent properties, natural materials, reused materials

Human Health Effects – physical activity opportunities, proximity to air pollution sources

The survey should demonstrate the relationships between the site features and topics listed above and how these features influence the project design.

Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore HabitatINTENT

To conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.

Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore HabitatREQUIREMENTS (1-2 pts.)

Preserve and protect 40% of greenfield area on the site from all development and construction activity.

Option 1: On-Site Restoration (2 pts.)

Using native or adapted vegetation, restore 30% of previously developed site areas, including the building footprint (vegetated roofs may count).

Option 2: Financial Support (1 pt.)

Provide financial support to a land trust or conservation organization that equals 40-cents/SF of the entire site.

Credit: Open SpaceINTENT

To create exterior open space that encourages interaction with the environment, social interaction, passive recreation, and physical activities.

Credit: Open SpaceREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Provide outdoor space greater than or equal to 30% of total site area (including building footprint). A minimum of 25% must be vegetated with something other than turf grass.

Outdoor spaces must be accessible and meet one or more of the following: Pedestrian-oriented paving or grassy area that promotes social activities

Recreation-oriented paving or grassy area that promotes physical activity

Garden space accessible year round with a diversity of vegetation

Preserved or created habitat as part of Site Development credit which is accessible

Open Space

Credit: Rainwater ManagementINTENT

To reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by replicating the natural hydrology and water balance of the site, based on historical conditions and undeveloped ecosystems in the region.

Credit: Rainwater ManagementREQUIREMENTS (2-3 pts.)

Option 1: Percentile of Rain Events (2 pts.)

Manage runoff from the developed site in a manner best replicating natural site hydrology processes for the 95th percentile of regional or local rainfall events using low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure.

Option 2: Natural Land Cover Conditions (3 pts.)

Manage the increase in runoff from the pre-developed condition to the developed condition.

Credit: Heat Island ReductionINTENT

To minimize effects on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat islands.

Credit: Heat Island ReductionREQUIREMENTS (1-2 pts.)

Option 1: Nonroof and roof (2 pts.)

Use plants to shade paved areas within 10 years.

Provide shade with structures covered by energy generation systems or vegetation.

Provide shade with architectural structures that have an SR of 0.33.

Use paving materials with an SR of 0.33.

Install a roof with an SRI of 82 (flat) or 39 (steep slope).

Install a vegetated roof.

Credit: Heat Island ReductionREQUIREMENTS (1-2 pts.)

Option 2: Parking under cover (1 pts.)

Place a minimum of 75% of parking spaces under cover. Cover should have SRI of 39, be vegetated, or be covered with energy generation systems.

Credit: Light Pollution ReductionINTENT

To increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility, and reduce the consequences of development for wildlife and people.

Credit: Light Pollution ReductionREQUIREMENTS (1 pt.)

Meet uplight maximums by lighting zone and do not allow light to extend beyond the site.

Credit: Light Pollution Reduction

Credit: Light Pollution Reduction

Credit: Light Pollution Reduction

HomeworkRead Kibert Chapter 9

Read LEED Chapter 7