Green neighborhoods are typically moderately dense, include a range of uses, and are designed for people and pedestrians first.  They include a dense network of paths and streets, human-scaled buildings and pedestrian-oriented street design.  “Green” elements are key, including a network of green spaces and corridors, street trees, and significant private landscaping (including possibly green roofs). Buildings are often “green,” with excellent environmental performance. Last but not least, green infrastructure is commonplace, from low-impact stormwater management to district energy systems.

Other features:

• Connections and Diversity. Designed to be liveable and sustainable, these compact communities bolster community connections. They typically offer a range of housing types, so residents can live in them during all stages of their lives. This results in longer friendships, a stronger sense of community, and safer neighborhoods.
• Gathering Places. The neighborhoods also incorporate carefully planned green spaces, community gathering areas, and other features that make them pleasant, vibrant places to live and raise a family.
• Convenient Proximity. Jobs, shopping, parks, schools, transit and other community services are usually nearby. The streets are designed to encourage walking and bike riding, so people often do.
• Cost Effectiveness. Green neighborhoods also cost local governments less because of efficient layout and sustainable infrastructure.

Local governments and developers across the country are creating green neighborhoods using programs such as LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), building on and going beyond principles of smart growth, New Urbanism and Neo-Traditional Development, movements of architects, planners and community leaders that support compact neighborhoods as an alternative to sprawl.