While LEED guidelines have been used for “vertical” building construction for several years, the LEED guidelines are not easily adapted to “horizontal” infrastructure projects. As a result, members of the construction industry have been working on developing “green” and sustainable construction principles for infrastructure projects with the hope of increasing overall environmental awareness and sustainable construction practices.
While LEED guidelines have been used for “vertical” building construction for several years, the LEED guidelines are not easily adapted to “horizontal” infrastructure projects. As a result, members of the construction industry have been working on developing “green” and sustainable construction principles for infrastructure projects with the hope of increasing overall environmental awareness and sustainable construction practices.
Earlier this month, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) unveiled a new rating system, Envision, designed to provide third-party certification for green infrastructure, akin to LEED. The system was created in partnership with the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. There are currently 60 available credits to be earned, distributed into five primary attributes: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Risk. The system focuses on similar goals to LEED, such as the use of recycle materials, generation of green energy, the use of products and practices with low environmental impact, and preservation of current habitats. The system also utilizes tiered levels of achievement based on sustainability, with the highest reserved for projects that provide a restorative effect on the surrounding environment.
The ISI is planning on first utilizing the system as a self-assessment tool, before expanding it into a third party verified rating system, then further into an optimized support tool for infrastructure projects. The system is backed by the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Additional information can be found here.
