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Why open space?

This credit is intended to promote sites with large areas of vegetated open space that promote biodiversity and recreation—which can also add an amenity to your project, help with natural stormwater management, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Difficulty varies by location

It’s generally quite easy for rural and suburban projects to meet the requirements of this credit—this is especially true for schools, particularly those that have sports fields onsite. Urban projects have a harder time with this credit, but can achieve it through strategies like green roofs and pedestrian-oriented hardscapes, which are allowed if the project also achieves SSc2: Development Density and Community Connectivity.

Documentation is a breeze

It’s easy to document this credit for LEED Online—you only need to provide the site area and a site plan showing the dedicated open space. The civil engineer, landscape architect, or architect typically provide the documentation.

New requirement may be a sticking point

Despite the easy documentation, there is one frequent sticking point—the owner must sign the LEED Online credit form stating that the open space will remain open space for the life of the building. This is a new requirement for LEED 2009 and it gives pause to some building owners, because they may anticipate future development that would affect this space, or because they find they are simply unable to control what happens in the future.

In urban areas earning SSc2, green roofs and pedestrian-oriented hardscape can count as open space.

Photo – YRG Sustainability
Particularly in rural sites with open space that would be valuable for conservation, you might want to consider having a conservation plan or easement put in place to support ongoing protection, although this is not required for credit compliance. 

Native species are optional, but come with benefits

The credit calls for vegetated open space, but unlike SSc5.1: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, it does not require that the vegetation be native or adapted. Turf grass, for example, would be allowed under this credit. But keep in mind that limiting the amount of turf grass in favor of native and adapted species can offer additional aesthetic and environmental benefits, while also contributing to SSc5.1 and WEc1: Water Efficient Landscaping

Guidelines for wetlands and ponds

For all compliance paths, wetland or pond areas can count toward the open space requirement—as long as the side slope is vegetated and the incline ratio of the slope is 1:4 (vertical: horizontal) or less. The rationale here is to avoid giving credit to projects that may have a fenced, concrete detention basin that does not enhance biodiversity or recreation activity. 

Don’t confuse with SSc5.1

It’s easy to confuse the requirements of this credit and those of SSc5.1: Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat. They both are intended to promote open space and biodiversity, but their approaches diverge considerably. 

Unlike SSc5.1, open space for this credit does not have to use native and adpated species.

This credit focuses on increasing the quantity of open space with respect to local zoning requirements and has no restrictions on the type of vegetation installed—lawns or playing fields with turf grass are fine, for example, or even pedestrian-oriented hardscapes—approaches that would not work for SSc5.1. Site disturbance from construction activity is also strictly limited under SSc5.1, but is not under SSc5.2.

Consider these questions when approaching this credit

  • What are the project goals for providing occupants with vegetated open space, plazas, picnic areas, or outdoor recreational activities?
  • Consider how open space can contribute to access to pleasant views. Can your project provide views of this open space from indoors?
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