5.4 ECCSR 05-17-2023 King County (WA) Sustainable Cities
https://kingcountv.govldepts/d nrp/solid-waste/programs/green-build ing/sustainable-cities.aspx
What is a sustainable city? irr' -
"A sustainable community is one that works
harmoniously to create a balance between equity for
people, economy and environment. The community
uses its resources to meet current needs while
benefiting future generations. We conserve natural
resources and their richness through prioritizing
human health,eliminating waste,preventing
pollution,maximizing conservation and promoting
prosperity in our local living economy." —King
,,
County Green Tools, Earth Day 2010
The roadmap shortcut(following)
Twelve essential actions for starting,implementing,and maintaining a municipal green building program. Start
with these suggested actions to quickly make early planning decisions and use them as a starting point for your
municipality's customized roadmap,adding actions as your program develops.
Green Tools for City Government:Green Tools for King County Sustainable
The Sustainable Cities Toolkit2 is a web-based network of tools,resources,examples,and a peer-to-peer
networking forum to support a municipality's role in making green building a priority and a reality.
https:; kingcounr) gov ...,',programs,'green-building:sustainable-cities -government.aspx
Certifications to consider and additional resources for REPS. RFOs and contracts
• Built Green
Built Green external link is a residential green building program of the Master Builders Association developed in
partnership with King and Snohomish Counties.The program provides builders,developers and consumers with
easy-to-understand rating systems that quantify environmentally preferable building practices for the remodeling
or construction of homes,multi-family units,and community developments. Based on the green building scores
received,a home is classified as a three-, four-or five-star Built Green project or if designing to net zero energy
standards"z-star".Built Green is the only certification that has a checklist for all types of green construction
from full community certification to energy retrofits.
• Living Building Challenge v4.0
Liviii Building Challenge 4.0 external link is a standard that draws from sustainability strategies proven
across diverse sectors,such as architecture,engineering,planning,landscape design and policy.The LBC
challenges building professionals to ask the question:What if every single act of design and construction
made the world a better place?
• LEED for Neighborhood Design
The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth,
urbanism,and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design.LEED certification
provides independent, third-party verification that a development's location and design meet accepted high
levels of environmentally responsible, sustainable development. LEED for Neighborhood Development is
collaboration among USGBC external link,Congress for the New Urbanism external link, and the Natural
Resources Defense Council external link.
• ICLEI Star Community Index
The STAR Community Index external link is a national,consensus-based framework for gauging the
sustainability and livability of U.S. communities. STAR is being developed through a partnership between
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI),the U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC),and the
Center for American Progress (CAP). Much as LEEDTM transformed the building industry,STAR is
intended to transform the way local governments set priorities and implement policies and practices to
improve their sustainability performance.
• Questions to Consider:
o What standards can be used to guide design and verify performance of green buildings?
o What language can be used in contracts to ensure provisions for green construction?
o Learn more: Green Building Standards and Guidance for RFPs,RF( )s and Contracts.
Green building ordinances and policies
https: ';,kingeount .gov debts dare:solid-waste programs green-building,.sustainable-cities city
government.green-building-ordinances-policies.aspx
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Shortcut to the Top 12 Essential Actions for your Green Building Program
These Top 12 Essential Actions from the King County GreenTools'Roadmap to a Green Building
Program offer municipalities a shortcut to the core actions that build a strong foundation for any
green building program.Start with these suggested actions to quickly make early planning decisions
and use them as a starting point for your munidpality's customized roadmap,adding actions as your program develops.
the d *
Getting Started
Conduct City Self Assessment
Identify any existing green initiatives in your jurisdiction,and complete your online City Profile—you can 2.1.6
update it anytime! 2.1.1)
Learn as much as you can about what your city already offers as well as community needs,so you invest time,staff,
and money as effectively as possible for your jurisdiction!
Generate Program Support and Conduct Outreach
oil Secure endorsement for your green building program from department directors and elected officials early in 2.3.1
L. the process,and through ongoing briefings. 4.1.25
High level support sends the message to the community and your stakeholders that this is an important program!
Look for program support and collaborative opportunities within your community and region.Talk to peer 2.3.4
cities with green building programs and attend King County GreenTools Sustainable Cities Roundtables, 2.3.8
trainings and tours to learn from others'experiences. 2.3.14
Why go at it alone or reinvent the wheel when you have great resources available to help?Tap into industry,
businesses,non-profits,neighboring cities and the County for an efficient approach.
Create Program Framework
4 Select guidelines and standards(such as BuiltGreen,LEED,Energy Star,etc.)to reference,promote or require as 2.5.7
key components of your program's framework.
Industry guidelines and standards provide excellent'resources and benchmarks,and are a great way to align your
community with larger scale efforts.
Create Program Infrastructure
ICFormalize your green building program by allocating staffing with both program development and technical 2.6.5
expertise,and selecting a departmental home that already offers green building services or inspiration. 2.6.15
Phasing program development is easier when you have both content and process expertise on your team early on.
111 Green Tools
4 iPfrOliPie
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Remove Barriers:internal and External Education,Technical and Regulatory Barriers
6 Identify and implement at least one ongoing internal training mechanism to build a baseline of green building 3.1.4
knowledge for your program and auxiliary staff. 3.1.
Tapping into the numerous educational opportunities in the region will get staff up to speed in a quickly changing 3.1.6
industry!
7 Formalize at least one method of offering project-specific support that targets green building planning, 3.1,27
strategies,or technical assistance. 3.1. 1
32
Offering expertise and technical assistance early on is a great incentive,and supports future program initiatives 3.1"'
oriented more towards changing policy or regulatory requirements. 3.1.34
3.133
Q Create webpages on your existing site that showcase the city's green building services available and links to 3.1.13
Q outside resources and green building education opportunities.
Your website can be an invaluable resource for your target audience as well as a core marketing tool for the program.
Support Early innovators
9 Seek out early innovators for insight.They can help your city find opportunities to become an early innovator 3.2.6
with both new projects and operations of existing facilities. 3.2.7
Learn from those on the ground at the forefront,and walk the talk by putting your city in the spotlight as an innovator.
Create Incentives
10 Identify and promote existing incentives that support specific project strategies,technologies and 3.3.1
development patterns.
Taking advantage of incentives that are already available is a great way to be immediately of service,while allowing 3.3.4
you time to identify relevant and needed new incentives.
Market the Program and Conduct Outreach:Packaging Your Tools
1 1 Coordinate marketing opportunities with ongoing or existing city sponsored community events. 4.1.20
This is a great way to easily and efficiently spread the word about your program offerings.
Develop Indicators,Tracking and Reporting Results
03 Develop indicators to measure both outputs and outcomes of your program's operations. 4.2.1
G
You can't manage what you don't measure-so identify key ways to track your program's impact in the community
over time,and evaluate the effectiveness of program delivery.
Want more?Check out the following complimentary resources and tools available through the GreenTools program:
• Download the full or condensed Roadmap to a Green Building Program Handbook for a comprehensive guide.
• Create a Customized Roadmap using the online tool.
• Tap into the numerous opportunities to engage with your peers through the Sustainable Cities Roundtable series,and the
many Trainings and Tours offered by King County GreenTools.
• Join the GreenTools mailing list for updates on additional resources and events.
e I Green Tools
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Roadmap Resources and Online Tool:http;roadmap.greentools.ust
Sustainable Cities Resources:http✓/your.kingcounty.govisolidwastelgreenbuilding/roundtable.asp