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Extracted Content

Where possible, use the information from the assessment to inform the planning, design, and operations and maintenance of the project and describe how project-specific strategies were considered.

REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED

This prerequisite requires that the project team comprehensively evaluate and understand the social, economic, and environmental context of the local community, workforce, and supply chain before developing the project. To support this, teams should use methods such as site analysis, community outreach, census reports, GIS mapping, and partnerships with local organizations. This will help ensure the project aligns with community needs and promotes equitable outcomes. Teams must select key characteristics to evaluate within the categories of demographics, local infrastructure and land use, human use and health impacts, and occupant experience. These analyses and findings will guide the project’s planning, design, operations, and maintenance strategies.

Ultimately, this assessment balances environmental goals with the needs and aspirations of the people affected, fostering projects that are both ecologically and socially responsible. It supports frameworks for how designers ensure the health, safety, and welfare of those they design for. This will be an educational process for teams, especially for those who have not conducted similar assessments previously. With intentional planning, teams can integrate project-specific strategies by identifying potential disparities and work collectively toward creating a more inclusive and equitable community.

Human Impact Assessment

A human impact assessment is a process in which quantitative and qualitative data for a proposed project are collected through identifying characteristics unique to the project site and its surrounding community. Projects are required to consider the sociopolitical context of the site. The means looking at the cultural makeup of neighboring residents or average income rates. Additionally, it asks for projects to identify relevant infrastructure and policy such as zoning restrictions or accessibility codes. The assessment also requires taking stock of what resources may be accessible to the residents or potential end-users. This includes transit availability or healthcare. Lastly, it evaluates impacts on occupant experience, such as air and water quality. Project teams must consider how these elements interact with and impact each other to ensure that they guide project development with a comprehensive understanding of its social context.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 27