Eco Neighborhoods

Program Description & Expression of Interest Form Request

Certifying the vibrancy, innovation and prosperity of existing neighborhoods

Invitation

Earth Advantage Institute invites the submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in a pilot program that will rate and certify the economic, ecological and equity accomplishments of existing neighborhoods. The request for EOIs is intended to determine whether there is sufficient market interest in such a program. EOIs will be accepted until November 30, 2011.

Eco Neighborhoods Concept

Neighborhoods are critical elements of community vitality and prosperity, and essential contributors to social, economic, environmental innovation and well-being. A wide variety of neighborhoods across the country are working to create and maintain great places, including:

     - Residential neighborhoods
     - Public housing projects
     - Business districts
     - Office and industrial parks
     - Shopping centers
     - Resorts
     - Education and medical campuses
     - Military housing areas

Certifying the accomplishments of these neighborhoods can strengthen collaboration, focus resources for greater action, and improve outcomes. To do this, the Eco Neighborhoods program concept is distinguished in two respects. First, it will focus on existing, fully developed neighborhoods that are at least five years old and have a demonstrated track record of accomplishments in the following categories:

     - Completeness and vibrancy
     - Economic prosperity
     - Social equity and well-being
     - Housing choices and affordability
     - Public health and education
     - Mobility choices and efficiency
     - Infrastructure efficiency and innovation
     - Environmental sustainability
     - Public safety
     - Collaboration and governance

The program’s rating and certification will be grounded in well-established principles of sustainability, but importantly, will “go beyond green” to encompass a broader set of social, economic, and environmental accomplishments. Neighborhoods that attain a rating of excellence will receive formal certification from Earth Advantage Institute, and will be featured in the program’s national roster of excellence and related media materials.

For purposes of this request, “existing neighborhoods” are buildings or groups of buildings that have been constructed and occupied for at least five years, including, but not limited to, residential areas, condominiums, public housing projects, business districts, office/industrial parks, shopping centers, resorts, institutional campuses, and military installation housing areas.  There is no minimum or maximum number of buildings or acres required for an existing neighborhood. 

Who May Be Interested

Earth Advantage encourages a broad range of organizations to submit EOIs. Potential responders may include, but are not limited to, neighborhood and homeowner associations; public housing tenant associations; business improvement districts and transportation management organizations; community development corporations; and owners/managers of resorts, shopping centers, office/industrial parks, institutional campuses, and military installation housing areas.

Submission of an EOI does not obligate the submitting organization to participation in the Eco Neighborhoods program. Information collected from EOI forms will be used by Earth Advantage only to determine whether there is sufficient market interest in such a program. Respondents will be notified by Earth Advantage of its determination shortly after the request for EOIs closes on November 30, 2011.