ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of neighborhood sustainability assessment tools (NSATs). NSATs evolved from environmental building assessment tools. These tools were established on the environmental motivations highlighted in the Brundtland Report. They were initially focused on buildings with tools such as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method and New Construction and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. In general, NSATs focus on the sustainable urban development of districts, communities, and neighborhoods. NSATs have been one of the most important tools for gauging and assessing sustainability practices on the urban scale. The operating mechanism of NSATs hinges on sustainability indicators (SIs). Utilizing SIs leads to more accurate decisions and more effective actions by simplifying, clarifying, and making aggregated information available to stakeholders and local authorities. The chapter focuses on a case study which utilizes eight NSATs with a specific emphasis on or selection of Asian-based NSATs and their associated headline sustainability indicator.
