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SUSTAINABLE SITES CREDIT

SITE ASSESSMENT
CEE 424Sustainable Construction Methods

Group #11

Step-By-Step Guidance:
Step 1. Prepare For Assessment
Identify the team that will perform the assessment.

Typically consists of the landscape architect, land planner, and architect

Engage local experts and specialists for matters beyond the teams area of
expertise

Plan to complete the assessment before conceptual design starts

Step 2. Conduct Site Inventory

Intent
To assess site conditions before
design to evaluate sustainable
options and inform related decisions about site design.

Behind the Intent

Using various data sources, site visits, and experts, survey and inventory the existing site conditions and surroundings with credit requirements in mind, and compile
them for the site assessment. Consider the following:

Identify assets (e.g. favorable

Recording all site information in a single document as inventory progresses

The site assessment is part of

Preparing a list of credits that could be influenced by the site assessment

an integrative design process,

Documenting important site and ecological features for the design team

and helps to make informed de-

Consulting local experts for information that may not be readily available

cisions about site design, and to

Step 3. Conduct Site Analysis

climate conditions), as well as


liabilities (e.g. unhealthy soils).

understand the sites topography, climate, soil types, etc.

Prepare a site plan that includes information gathered during the inventory, and
the effect site features will have on the project design.

Combine information gathered with the visual layout so that relationships can
be readily seen and a site assessment can be performed.

Be aware of different techniques to make information distinct and easily comprehended

Highlight the most important site features that may influence future design

Required
Documentation
Site survey or assessment
plan or map
Site assessment worksheet or equivalent narrative

Topography

Hydrology

Climate

Vegetation

Soils

Human Use

Human Health Effects

Sample Site Plan

Step 4. Complete Site Assessment Worksheet Or Prepare Site Assessment


Narrative
Complete USGBC site assessment or develop a sufficient narrative.

Must include which site features were evaluated, what was discovered, and how these findings influenced the project
design

Justify the exclusion of any elements that were not assessed

Requirements
Topography
Contour mapping, unique topographic features, slope stability risks

Hydrology
Flood hazard areas, delineated wetlands, lakes, streams, shorelines, rainwater collection and reuse opportunities, TR-55
initial water storage capacity of the site (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.)

Climate
Solar exposure, heat island effect potential, seasonal sun angles, prevailing winds, monthly precipitation and temp. ranges

Vegetation
Primary vegetation types, greenfield area, significant tree mapping, threatened or endangered species, unique habitat, invasive plant species

Soils
Natural Resources Conservation Service soils delineating, U.S. Department of Agriculture prime farmland, healthy soils,
previous development, disturbed soils

Human Use
Views, adjacent transportation infrastructure, adjacent properties, construction materials with existing recycle or reuse potential

Human Health Effects


Proximity or vulnerable populations, adjacent physical activity opportunities, proximity to major sources of air pollution

Applies to...
New Construction (1 point)
Core and Shell (1 point)

Related Credits
Integrative Process Credit

SS Rainwater Management

Schools (1 point)

LT Sensitive Land Protection

SS Heat Island Reduction

Retail (1 point)

LT Surrounding Density and Diverse


Uses

EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA Credit Optimize Energy Performance

Data Centers (1 point)

LT Access to Quality Transit


LT Bicycle Facilities
SS Site DevelopmentProtect or Restore Habitat

EA Renewable Energy Prod.


EQ Daylight
EQ Quality Views

Warehouses and Distribution Centers (1 point)


Hospitality (1 point)

Healthcare (1 point)

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