Clarification on Previously Developed Land for LEED Certification

Alefiya Bhiwandiwala

Ar.

Crown Home Engineering

LEEDuser Basic Member

1 thumbs up

Project location :

United Arab Emirates

September 6, 2024

I would like to clarify the eligibility of a site for the "Previously Developed Land" option in LEED certification. Specifically, if a land parcel has been graded and designated for development by the government, but was originally created from a waterbody (e.g., sites in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai) or allocated for commercial or other uses within a masterplan, would this be considered "previously developed"?

Given that much of Dubai's land is allocated for specific uses within large-scale masterplans, we are seeking guidance on whether such parcels, which are set aside and prepared for future development but not yet built upon, qualify as previously developed land under LEED?

Post a reply

Dave Hubka

Practice Leader - Sustainability

EUA

LEEDuser Expert

510 thumbs up

Fri, 09/06/2024 - 15:11

here is a cut/paste from a GBCI review comment received on a recent project: "It is not clear from the document provided that the entire development footprint was previously developed because a portion on the southern side is cleared and graded but not previously developed. The definition of previously developed is land which is altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Land that is not previously developed and landscapes altered by current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development." building footprint and/or hardscape = previously developed. cleared or graded or farmed or permitted = NOT previously developed.