A brownfield site is appropriate for development of LEED projects because it is a site that has been previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated by pollutants or hazardous substances. Developing a brownfield site can help reduce environmental impacts, such as soil erosion, habitat loss, and water consumption, by reusingexisting infrastructure and restoring degraded land. LEED projects can earn credits for developing on brownfield sites under the Sustainable Sites category. References: LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Sustainable Sites, page 35; Best Management Practice #14: Alternative Water Sources1

LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points a project earns across several categories of green building performance. The range of points required to maintain Gold level of LEED certification is 60-79, out of a possible 110 points. The other levels of LEED certification are: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59points), and Platinum (80 or more points)13. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide3

A brownfield is a property that has been previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants12. Brownfields can pose environmental and health risks and require remediation before redevelopment3. Examples of brownfields include abandoned factories, gas stations, dry cleaners, etc

The " Built Project " falls under LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND), which focuses on sustainable community development and infrastructure​​.

The term “LEED certified building” is the correct usage according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This term indicates that a building has met the standards set by the LEED rating system and has been officially certified by the USGBC. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Resource depletion is a major environmental concern related to energy use. The extraction and use of non-renewable energy resources (such as fossil fuels) can lead to their depletion over time. This is why strategies that reduce energy use or utilize renewable energy sources are important in green building practices. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

As per the LEED prerequisite for Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control:

“Prohibit smoking in the building and on property within 25 feet from operable windows, entries and air intakes.”

Building entrances are particularly sensitive areas where smoke can enter the ventilation system.

Providing quality views of vegetation and outdoor spaces is the best answer because visual connection to nature supports occupant comfort, satisfaction, and well-being. LEED Indoor Environmental Quality includes concepts such as daylight, quality views, lighting quality, thermal comfort, acoustics, and low-emitting materials. Views to vegetation, sky, movement, or outdoor areas can reduce stress and support productivity, especially in regularly occupied spaces. Enclosed rooms without windows reduce daylight and views. Using only artificial lighting may increase energy use and does not provide a connection to nature. Reducing all daylight access may control glare but creates a poor indoor environmental strategy if it eliminates beneficial daylight. A better approach is to combine views with shading, glazing, and glare-control strategies.

A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers, and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan. This should be conducted first to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on the project goals and strategies before proceeding with detailed analyses or modeling. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources