LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), where "LEED" stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a United States–based rating system that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into a national system for neighborhood design.
The rating system encourages smart growth and New Urbanism best practices by: Cities are increasingly using LEED-ND certification to accelerate the development of certified projects.
"[2] The following sites are acceptable for LEED-ND: The following credit categories are included in the rating system: LEED for Neighborhood Development differs from other commercial and residential LEED rating systems as it has three stages of certification that relate to phases of real-estate development: All LEED-ND projects are required to have at least one certified green building – "the LEED rating for new construction requires developers to complete a detailed checklist and awards 64 possible points for green building practices".
[5] Points are also available within the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system for having certified green buildings in the development and for integrating green building and infrastructure practices within the project.
These credits relate to energy efficiency, reduced water use, building reuse, recycled materials, and heat island reduction.