US Green Building Council LEED AP ND Exam Questions

To achieve the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Tree-Lined and Shaded Streetscapes, a minimum of 60% of the total sidewalk length must be shaded within ten years of landscape installation. For a project with 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of sidewalks, 60% equates to 3,000 feet (915 meters) of shaded sidewalk. This requirement encourages the development of pedestrian-friendly environments that provide comfort and reduce the urban heat island effect, contributing to the sustainability and livability of the neighborhood.

Entitlement refers to the existing or granted right to use property for specific types and quantities of land uses. It is a legal process that confirms a developer's rights to develop property in a specific way, in accordance with zoning and land-use regulations. Entitlement is an essential step in the development process, as it determines what can legally be built on a property and ensures that the proposed land uses align with local planning requirements. Building permits, development agreements, and certificates of occupancy are different stages of the construction and development process but do not provide the broad land-use rights that entitlements do.

To earn one point under the Innovation Credit: LEED Accredited Professional (AP) in a LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND) project, the individual must hold the LEED AP Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND) credential. This credential signifies that the individual has specialized knowledge in the principles and processes specific to neighborhood development and sustainability, aligning directly with the requirements and intent of LEED ND.

Option A: LEED AP Neighborhood Development is the correct answer because to earn this specific credit in a LEED ND project, the LEED AP must hold the Neighborhood Development (ND) specialty. This ensures that the individual's expertise is aligned with the specific challenges and opportunities in neighborhood development, rather than other building-focused specialties (Reference: LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

Option B: LEED AP Building Design and Construction would not qualify for this credit in a LEED ND project, as it focuses on the building level rather than neighborhood-scale development.

Option C: Any LEED AP without specialty credential is not sufficient for the Innovation Credit. LEED requires a specialty credential related to the specific project type (in this case, Neighborhood Development).

Option D: LEED AP with any specialty credential is also incorrect because LEED ND specifically requires the Neighborhood Development specialty for this credit, not just any specialty.

Thus, the correct answer is A. LEED AP Neighborhood Development.

In LEED for Neighborhood Development, formulating overarching goals is essential for guiding the project team toward achieving successful certification. According to the LEED for Neighborhood Development Reference Guide, goal setting for a project is based on three foundational aspects: the project's environmental setting, the community context, and the mission of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Option B: USGBC's mission is the correct answer because the mission of the USGBC---to promote sustainability in the built environment through cost-effective and energy-efficient building and neighborhood practices---serves as a guiding framework for all LEED projects. This mission helps ensure that the goals align with broader sustainability objectives, such as reducing environmental impact and enhancing the well-being of communities (Reference: LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

Option A: The project's timeline is not considered one of the three foundational elements for goal setting in LEED ND. While timelines are crucial for project management, they are not part of the foundational framework for establishing sustainability goals.

Option C: Federal policy may influence project decisions, but it is not one of the core foundations for LEED goal setting.

Option D: The developer's mission can play a role in a project's direction, but it is not one of the three primary foundations outlined by LEED ND for goal setting.

Thus, the third foundational element for goal setting in LEED ND, along with environmental setting and community context, is USGBC's mission, making Option B the correct answer.