Impact of a LEED-Certified Retail Complex on Rural Environment during Construction in the United States
In recent developments, shopping centres in rural areas have been a topic of interest due to their potential effects on traffic. These economic activities, while beneficial for the developer and the local economy, can impose costs on other road users and the broader community.
An externality is a consequence of an economic activity that affects parties not directly involved. In the case of shopping centres, they attract customers from a wide area, resulting in increased car trips and traffic, especially on main access roads. This surge in traffic is a negative externality, as it imposes costs on other road users in the form of increased travel time, fuel consumption, air pollution, noise pollution, and accident risk.
The impacts of this externality extend beyond the shopping centre itself. Traffic congestion spills over to affect nearby public roads and communities, creating a ripple effect that can impact the quality of life for residents.
Interestingly, rural areas, known for their lower baseline traffic levels compared to urban/suburban areas, are not immune to these impacts. The construction of a new shopping centre in a rural area can result in an increase in traffic on adjacent roads.
The process of building a shopping centre in a rural area typically involves an investor working with the local municipality. For instance, in Eschweiler, the city created tailored planning law in 2022/23, enabling an investor to file and receive building permits for such a project. However, delays and management issues can occur during the construction process, affecting the overall timeline.
On a positive note, there are measures that can be taken to mitigate these negative externalities. Solar panel installation on the shopping centre site, for example, can help reduce the carbon footprint of the centre. Additionally, the implementation of parking fees can help manage the influx of cars.
It's important to note that externalities can be positive or negative, creating benefits or costs for others. While the increased profits for the developer are a direct intended effect, the negative externalities associated with traffic congestion are unintended and need to be addressed.
For those preparing for the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam, a Q&A dump of practice questions and answers is available online for free, offering valuable study resources. These resources can help individuals better understand the various aspects of sustainable design and construction, including the management of externalities.
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