LEED for Cities: Framework for Planning Sustainable Communities

Planners are increasingly tasked with addressing climate change, equity, and resilience at the community scale, but many lack consistent tools to measure progress and integrate sustainability into policy. The updated LEED for Cities rating system provides a framework for communities to set goals, benchmark performance, and align land use, transportation, energy, and social equity strategies with measurable outcomes.

This presentation demonstrates how planners can use LEED for Cities to guide policy development and strengthen cross-department collaboration. Through real-world examples, learn how cities are leveraging the framework to embed climate action into planning documents, align transportation and infrastructure decisions with emissions-reduction targets, and ensure that equity and quality of life remain central to local sustainability efforts.

Leave with a clear understanding of how to apply LEED for Cities in your community to track progress, communicate results to stakeholders, and unlock resources to drive implementation. By highlighting both successes and lessons learned, the presenters equip planners with actionable strategies to overcome barriers, support inclusive community development, and accelerate the transition to sustainable, resilient cities.