Communities Program - Pilot

A community from a building perspective can be defined as a new or existing development addressing the needs of people through diverse infrastructure. The BUILT GREEN® Communities framework intends to target performance on a human, neighborhood, and global scale through its categories, which take a holistic approach to development. The program addresses various themes such as health, resiliency, lifecycle sustainability, new urbanism, greenhouse emissions, green spaces, and resource consumption—and focuses on their optimization.

The Communities program is the result of work done by a steering committee comprised of sustainability consultants, builders, and developers, alongside Built Green’s Technical Standards Committee. The development of this pilot has included an iterative engagement process, and industry input will continue to be welcomed.

Consistent with Built Green’s other programs, the Communities program takes a holistic approach to sustainable development to include site location, layout and design, energy systems, water management, materials and waste management, healthy and wellness, and business practices and innovation.

Guiding principles for this program include being achievable, practical, as well as measurable and verifiable. It is understood that community development is inherently complicated, and no two communities are the same: therefore, the program offers flexibility and is affordable.

In order to qualify, the community must consist of three or more buildings and at least 50% of the structures within the community contain residential units.

Development Certification

We certify projects that have met the compliance requirements as well as the other six key areas of sustainability outlined in Built Green's Communities program. We provide a checklist that guides the developer through the program, offering options on green features to integrate into their projects.

Certification recognizes the authenticity of a project, offering third-party verification to the community’s green features. There are levels of achievement—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—each requiring incremental increases in both energy performance scores and overall checklist points from the other six sections of the program.

Program Tools & Support

Built Green Canada offers program-specific tools, including a checklist, which serves as a guide for the developer and offers choices on which green features will be integrated into the community. To learn more, please email us. Developers are required to work with a BUILT GREEN® Communities Verifier.  

Built Green Canada is committed to supporting our developers and ensuring the successful certification of their projects. We can provide developers with further assistance, including technical advice and on-the-ground support from other experienced builders and industry professionals.

You can also call or email us if you require clarification on a checklist item(s).