26 May Eco Friendly Rating System Separates The Contenders From The Pretenders

Earlier this month the first national system used for rating the eco friendliness of neighborhoods was launched. This system will measure how walkable a neighborhood really is. With the sharp increase in sustainable community claims, there was a need for an official rating system to help consumers choose wisely.

According to USAToday.com article, the system was designed to separate the worthy neighborhoods from the pretenders. The idea is to locate stores, restaurants, and other services close to homes, which will encourage people to walk more. The rating system will give an accurate rating for communities.

This system is a lot like most LEED certification programs and was actually designed with LEED’s help. Obtaining a LEED-ND certification is believed to help developers get construction permits more quickly and attract more buyers. Experts believe that consumer will increasingly want LEED communities in the future. As these consumers are introduced to the rating system and understand it, it will become a necessary certification for buyers looking to reduce their daily commute.

These certified neighborhoods also promote a denser economy. Economists believe that our future economy will thrive off of collaboration and idea sharing. This is more easily achieved in more urban settings compared to suburban ones where things are spread out and driving is a requirement.

Obtaining these types of certifications will ultimately improve the visibility of your product. The LEED certification program is young and still evolving. It was created out of demand and I think that’s something that can’t be ignored. Consumers will be looking for these sorts of certifications when buying or renting in the future.