LEED-AP-BD+C Exam Dumps : LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C)

Conducting a site analysis is a method to assess the regional context of a building’s design for sustainability. A site analysis involves collecting and evaluating information about the site’s location, climate, ecology, history, culture, infrastructure, regulations, and stakeholders. This can help identify the opportunities and constraints for the project, as well as the potential impacts and benefits for the environment and the community. A site analysis can inform the design decisions regarding site selection, site development, water management, energy efficiency, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation12. References: LEED BD+C Reference Guide, Integrative Process, page 281; Site Analysis for Construction

A benefit of earning Regional Priority credits is that the LEED project can achieve more sustainable outcomes by recognizing the issues that are a priority in the project’s location. Regional Priority credits are not new LEED credits, but instead are existing credits that USGBC regional councils and chapters have designated as being particularly important for their areas1. The incentive to achieve the credits is in the form of a bonus point. If an RP base credit is earned, then a bonus point is awarded to the project’s total points1. This way, the project can address the geographically specific environmental, social equity and public health priorities of its location2. References:

Regional priority credit lookup | U.S. Green Building Council

Regional Priority (RP) credits – U.S. Green Building Council

Reducing the area planned for surface parking and replacing it with additional vegetated space can provide several benefits to the owner, such as:

Decreasing the amount of bicycle parking that must be provided, since there will be less demand for parking spaces for cyclists.

Increasing the overall SR (solar reflectance) of the hardscape area, which can reduce the cooling load and energy consumption of the building.

Decreasing the required amount of on-street parking that must be provided, since there will be less demand for parking spaces for cars.

However, one of the most significant benefits of this strategy is increasing the rainwater infiltration capacity, which can improve the water quality and quantity in the stormwater system. According to a study by Biondolilo1, integrating green space into parking lots can decrease stormwater runoff, mitigate the heat island effect, store carbon, improve air quality and may have social benefits as well. The study estimated that converting 30% of Manhattan’s parking into green space would decrease runoff and pollutants from parking lots1. Therefore, this strategy can help reduce water demand and environmental impact in arid climates.