Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Fort Lauderdale has achieved the LEED for Cities Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the first city in Broward County to be certified through this rating system.
“The work of cities and communities such as Fort Lauderdale is a driving force in ensuring a more sustainable future for all,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “Cities that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment, and striving to improve the quality of life for their residents.
“Fort Lauderdale is setting a standard for what it means to be a high performer and their efforts and achievements should be an example for all.”
The system evaluates and tracks progress on economic, environmental and social conditions. Certification helps local governments attract economic activity, reach global climate goals, improve air and water quality.
Highlights from Fort Lauderdale’s evaluation include high scores in:
- Innovation and regional priorities categories for providing a food forest, protecting sea turtles, working to end homelessness, implementing nature-based solutions for sargassum seaweed challenges, simplifying access to solar energy, and collaborating with regional partners to secure a reliable water source.
- Natural systems and ecology for access to green and natural spaces and integrating resilience strategies into all aspects of plans, operations and organizational culture.
- Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions category for consistently reducing the intensity of carbon emissions citywide despite serving a growing total daily population of more than 300,000.
The transportation and land use category noted highlights including diverse transportation modes and the city’s work to preserve historic and archaeological sites.
“This certification against an international standard validates the actions the City of Fort Lauderdale is taking to build a sustainable and resilient community,” said Dr. Nancy Gassman, assistant director of public works.