LEED-ND and Livability Revisited

Berkeley Planning Journal, Vol. 27 (1), 31-55, 2014

26 Pages Posted: 8 May 2016

See all articles by Geoff Boeing

Geoff Boeing

University of Southern California - Sol Price School of Public Policy

Daniel Church

University of California, Berkeley

Haley Hubbard

University of California, Berkeley

Julie Mickens

University of California, Berkeley

Lili Rudis

University of California, Berkeley

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

This study examines LEED-ND’s criteria for Neighborhood Pattern and Design (NPD). LEED-ND was developed as a system for rating new neighborhoods on the sustainability of their planning. However, it has increasingly been adopted by cities as a de facto measure of “livable” neighborhood design and used to accelerate development processes. We hypothesize that these criteria do not accurately capture livability as defined by residents. Our study area is Temescal, a gentrifying neighborhood in Oakland, CA. Temescal could not achieve LEED-ND certification due to technical disqualifications yet residents of the neighborhood rated its livability very highly. Furthermore, residents consistently rated and ranked NPD characteristics quite differently than did LEED-ND, calling into question its validity as a universally codifiable rating system. We propose that a single set of weighted, prescriptive design guidelines may not be able to reflect the diverse values and desired amenities of different communities.

Keywords: LEED, LEED-ND, livability, sustainability, urban planning, urban design, neighborhood, development

JEL Classification: O18, R10, R14, R40, R52

Suggested Citation

Boeing, Geoff and Church, Daniel and Hubbard, Haley and Mickens, Julie and Rudis, Lili, LEED-ND and Livability Revisited (2014). Berkeley Planning Journal, Vol. 27 (1), 31-55, 2014, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2668798

Geoff Boeing (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Sol Price School of Public Policy ( email )

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
United States

Daniel Church

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Haley Hubbard

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Julie Mickens

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Lili Rudis

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

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