We have a building that will be in the middle of a rural town. We easily meet the diverse uses within proximity, but there are no sidewalks. While the credit mentions within walking distance, it does not mention there needs to be sidewalks. People can technically walk on the side of the road, however, this would not be safe and probably does not meet the intention of the credit.
Thank you!
Emily Purcell
Sustainable Design LeadCannonDesign
LEEDuser Expert
371 thumbs up
February 22, 2024 - 5:00 pm
Hi Alexandre, you would need to show a safe walking route. "Walking distance" is defined as being measured via sidewalks or equivalent. (Actually, you should be able to hover over the words "walking distance" in your post and see the definition, thanks LEEDUser!)
Alexandre Penegre
February 22, 2024 - 5:09 pm
Oh thank you! I did not know you could hover over and see the definition. This answers my question.
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
532 thumbs up
February 22, 2024 - 8:32 pm
I just asked this question to LEED Coach last week. Our project is in a light commercial neighborhood with no sidewalks, a speed limit of 25 mph; a childrens park is just down the road with several playing fields for local grade schools. This neighborhood does not have sidewalks. GBCI's response regarding if I could count the 'side of the road' as a walkable path:
"A project must be able to demonstrate safe and comfortable pedestrian walking paths to comply with the requirements. Sidewalks aren't necessarily required in all cases in order for a project to comply, as the project's location and surrounding area/streets are taken into consideration and assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, in the case of your project, designated walking paths on the roads would not be considered safe and comfortable for pedestrians. The roads in question here are not residential roads and therefore cannot be considered akin to those in a residential neighborhood. Similarly, speed limits of 25 mph, while deemed safe for bicycles when determining a compliant bicycle network in other credits, are generally not considered safe and comfortable for pedestrians walking in the street."
So I think what is key is that it is a residential neighborhood. Which makes sense because dog walking, children playing, and family type activities are commom. Light commercial neighborhoods would have regular delivery trucks and commercial-type traffic.
Hope this helps!