The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has formally adopted RELi, a resilience rating system, meaning that it will soon become a global rating system under the USGBC’s guidance.
RELi is patterned on LEED, but prescribes methods for designing more resilient buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. The system was developed in 2012 by design firm Perkins+Will, the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), and others.
RELi will be managed and operated by USGBC and the Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI). The system helps architects, city planners, developers, governments, and businesses design buildings, neighborhoods, and communities to better withstand events such as hurricanes, super storms, drought, heat waves, earthquakes, and social volatility.
RELi will award points for various credits across multiple credit categories, incorporating many LEED prerequisites and credits for sustainability. It will also include new criteria focused on environmental, social, and economic considerations for resilience. These can include:
- Fundamental Access to First Aid Emergency Supplies, Water, Food, and Communications
- Adaptive Design for Extreme Rain, Sea Rise, Storm Surge, and Extreme Weather, Events, and Hazards
- Developing or Expand Local Skills, Capabilities, and Long-Term Employment
- Providing for Social Equity and Edible Landscaping, Urban Agriculture, and Resilient Food Production
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2016
Santa Monica, Calif., passes historic net-zero ordinance
Includes more stringent commercial, multifamily building standards.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Six more states approve legal marijuana, creating opportunities for developers
Federal prohibition complicates the picture.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2016
Los Angeles voters approve billions to tackle traffic and homelessness
The approved measures will create new rail lines and permanent housing.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2016
NRMCA updates environmental impacts of concrete
The EPD now includes 88 companies, 72 mixes.
Codes and Standards | Nov 9, 2016
Louisiana flood projections require urgent action, officials say
The 'no net loss’ prediction now seems unrealistic.
Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2016
American Concrete Institute offers new guide for repair of concrete buildings
The guide provides assistance on assessment and rehab.
Codes and Standards | Nov 7, 2016
The AISC prequalified seismic moment connection standard is now available
You can download the 2016 version for free.
Codes and Standards | Nov 4, 2016
Obama Administration makes a push for denser, more affordable cities
The administration calls for zoning code changes and other measures to create more housing.
Codes and Standards | Nov 3, 2016
OSHA proposes safety standards changes to reduce employer costs
The changes include clarification on excavation standard and reporting job-related hearing loss.
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2016
New resources available to reduce plug loads using advanced power strips
A tenant education program can boost efficiency in office buildings.