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level, housing status, or educational background. The community may extend to include project team members such as architects, engineers, contractors, and designers who oversee the planning, design, and construction phases. Community within the context of the supply chain includes material suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, along with the workforce involved in production and transportation, highlighting local engagement and fair labor practices.

Address the core categories of human impact Teams must complete a thorough assessment that evaluates the potential impact of the project on people, including living conditions, health, food security, education, and access to other resources. The assessment must include data collection and analysis of core human impact categories such as demographic, infrastructure, health, and occupant experience factors, as well as any other relevant social impacts identified, providing a comprehensive overview of the human impacts of project development.

Project teams should engage with community members and other relevant groups to gather insights, understand local needs, and validate data.

• Demographics . The first category evaluates the local demographics of the area surrounding the project site, which is critical to understanding how the design may influence the social fabric of the surrounding community. This process involves analyzing key demographic characteristics, including factors such as race and ethnicity, gender, age distribution, income levels, employment rates, population density, education levels, and household types. Additionally, it includes identification of nearby vulnerable populations to consider how their needs can be addressed in the project’s development. Teams are suggested to collaborate with nonprofit organizations that work directly with the people of the community.

• Local infrastructure and land use . The second category examines the project’s impact on local infrastructure and land use, as well as identifying existing infrastructure that provides an opportunity to connect to the project. Teams must assess the adjacent public transit systems such as walkways, bike lanes, and road networks to ensure the project integrates well with existing mobility options and promotes sustainable transportation. The evaluation requires an analysis of diverse land uses in the vicinity, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational spaces, to determine how the project might influence the functional balance of the area.

The assessment encourages reviewing the local community’s sustainability commitments, such as city-wide goals to reduce GHG emissions or promote energy efficiency, highlighting that the project can support broader efforts to create a more sustainable future. Identifying and complying with relevant accessibility codes and standards is another key aspect of the assessment to strengthen the project’s

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 28