LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) incorporates the principles of smart growth, new urbanism, and green building into a national standard for green neighborhood design. Through voluntary certification, LEED for Neighborhood Development recognizes development projects that protect and enhance the health and quality of our communities and our natural environment.

For local governments working on a climate action plan, revising a green building ordinance, looking to incentivize transit-oriented development or tackle other similar problems this paper explores pursuing the LEED for Neighborhood Development certification as a catalyst for doing so. It reviews the basics of the LEED ND certification, the constraints facing municipalities with regard...