Building within an existing urban fabric adds significant benefits for users, including lower transportation costs and healthier lifestyle. Employers may find that this helps attract and retain personnel.

There may be costs associated with developing a site in an urban setting (due to aspects such as site constraints and brownfield remediation), although there can also be savings due to reduced need to install infrastructure.

Documenting this option is easier than documenting Option 1, as there is little data collection involved, and usually no calculations to perform (unless there is no other documentation available and you have to calculate the housing density to make sure it is at least 10 units per acre). 

The half-mile radius can be drawn from any building entrance on the site map. 

The one-half mile radius is drawn from the main building entrance. 

If a service is considered basic but not included in the list, attach a narrative explaining why you think this is acceptable or consult with GBCI. 

Demonstrate that there is both:

Pedestrian access to common services. Examples of basic services include: bank, church, school, grocery, laundry facilities, doctor’s office, and a post office. (See the list of common acceptable basic services in the credit language.)
Proximity to a residential area within a one-half mile radius. The residential area must have an average density of 10 units per acre.

Option 2: Community Connectivity

There may be a fee associated with obtaining data from a public agency’s GIS database. 

Many urban sites are previously developed and may be brownfields. Investigate and address any contamination and remediation issues early in the planning process.  Doing so can contribute to earning SSc3, and is part of the prerequisite SSp2.