What Is Green Design?

If you asked 10 different people “What is Green Design,” you would likely get an equal or greater number of different answers. 

According to the U.S Green Building Council, “Green design” is design that significantly reduces or eliminates the negative impacts of buildings on the environment and building occupants in five broad areas: Sustainable site planning, Safeguarding water & water efficiency, Energy efficiency & renewable energy Conservation of materials & resources and Indoor environmental quality.

To help create a standardized system for assessing how “Green” a project is, the U.S. Green Building Council created a rating system called “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design” (LEED) as a way of designing, constructing, operating and certifying the world’s greenest buildings.  This systematic method promotes a whole-building approach and encourages a collaborative, integrated design and construction process.  Projects can be LEED certified as Silver, Gold or Platinum level projects. 

How can New Jersey municipalities better promote “Green Design” in their communities?  Municipalities might consider these approaches when undertaking municipally-funded construction and site-design projects.  Opportunities to encourage the use of green building techniques could be incorporated into municipal land-use planning programs. 

To facilitate the dissemination of “Green Design” techniques as a way of meeting municipal concerns, MLUC will be assisting Delaware Township in Hunterdon County in exploring this concept. “Green Design” issues related to onsite wastewater management concepts will be the focal point of a community outreach effort.  Adjoining municipalities’ will be asked to join Delaware Township residents at an April workshop. State agency and private industry experts will provide information on wastewater management options for rural communities.   Environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment options such as created wetland treatment systems and alternatives to conventional individual septic system designs will be highlighted at the workshop.    The MLUC would like to partner with additional municipalities to explore the wider range of sustainable site design and “green building” issues related to: community design; environmental sustainability; affordable housing; and agricultural and community viability. 

The State of New Jersey through the NJ Green Homes Office within its Department of Community Affairs (NJ DCA) can offer assistance to municipalities and builders interested in using innovative green design and building techniques.  That Office’s mission is to improve the environmental performance, energy efficiency, quality, and affordability of housing in New Jersey through advocacy, education, and technical assistance on green building projects. 

For more information on LEED , NJ Green Homes, or Greener Buildings.