Do You Live in an 'Eco Neighborhood'?

Do you believe your neighborhood is particularly hospitable, equitable, and green? If so, you may want to consider entering it into a new program seeking to identify praiseworthy places according to a range of environmental, social, economic, and human factors.

In particular, Earth Advantage Institute, “a nonprofit green building resource that has certified more than 11,000 homes nationally,” according to a press release issued last week, is seeking applications for a pilot program it calls Eco Neighborhoods. The Institute, which is based in Portland, Oregon, believes that certifying the accomplishments of the places where we live or work can help us improve them. Earth Advantage seeks to distinguish Eco Neighborhoods from other rating services that evaluate new buildings or multi-building developments in two ways: First, it will focus only on neighborhoods that are at least five years old and can demonstrate a level of achievement. Second, it will include but “go beyond green” to encompass a broader set of social, economic, and cultural accomplishments.