The principle of life-cycle impact reduction in LEED aims to minimize the environmental impact of materials over the life span of the building. LEED v4 specifically awards points for strategies such as:
Reuse of existing buildings and materials
Design for flexibility and longevity
High-density and mixed-use developments that reduce resource consumption per capita
According to the LEED BD+C v4 Study Guide, dense, mixed-use developments are inherently more sustainable because they reduce infrastructure needs, make efficient use of land and materials, and support walkability, which further reduces environmental impacts from transportation and land development.
Option D, “a densely constructed community with mixed-use ground floor services,” directly aligns with these sustainability strategies by:
Encouraging efficient land use
Supporting reuse of space over time
Minimizing transportation impact
Facilitating shared resources
In contrast, Options A, B, and C represent conventional or low-density developments that typically require more material per capita and offer fewer opportunities for lifecycle reuse or conservation.
