New Nature-Positive Benchmark Targets New Communities
Words — Tract
Images — Nature Based Cities
Category — Initiatives, Insights
Nature Based Cities (NBC) has extended its accreditation framework to precinct-scale residential communities, launching the New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard to support more measurable nature-positive outcomes across greenfield and large brownfield developments.
Authored by Tract with support from Nature Advisory and Ark Resources, NBC’s new Design Guidelines and Accreditation Framework for New Communities provides a structured approach to integrating biodiversity, canopy, ecology and walkability into precinct-scale residential development.
As a member of the NBC Advisory Council, Tract Director Janis Fischer was central to the development of the framework, helping shape guidance that promotes greater recognition of nature as essential infrastructure in the planning of new communities. Janis recently spoke with The Urban Developer about the initiative and its role in embedding nature considerations from the outset of project planning.
Janis describes the framework as a practical tool for guiding stronger ecological outcomes across new communities, with accreditation outcomes designed to remain within reach for industry application.
“For many developments, achieving commended accreditation will likely require only a few minor refinements—doing some things just a little better than in the past.
The guidelines and scorecard allow you to make informed planning decisions from the moment you acquire a site. They may also influence your decision-making when considering a site for a new community development.”
— Janis Fischer, Tract Director and NBC Advisory Council member
Read the full article via The Urban Developer.
Start your accreditation via the Nature Based Cities website.
To find out more about Nature Based Cities and see how our team can assist.
