Raimi + Associates wrote A Citizen’s Guide to LEED-ND for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to guide citizens, advocates, and organizations interested in using LEED for Neighborhood Development to promote sustainable development patterns at the local, regional, or state level. NRDC has long had an active interest in smart growth and sustainable development, and was one of three organizations, along with U.S. Green Building Council and the Congress for New Urbanism, to develop LEEDND. The purpose of the Citizen’s Guide to LEED-ND is to provide a “go-to” introduction to LEED-ND for a wide general audience. It empowers advocates to use LEED-ND in creative, innovative ways, such as guiding advocacy for or against specific development projects; assessing existing neighborhoods; and
informing neighborhood plans and zoning codes.