The U.S. Green Building Council has announced its 2026 LEED for Cities cohort, bringing together 17 local governments across the United States to advance sustainable urban development, resilience and quality of life.
The initiative supports municipalities in pursuing certification under the LEED v4.1 Existing Cities framework, helping them measure environmental performance, reduce impacts and improve urban systems. The selected communities represent around 2.5 million residents and include cities such as Grand Rapids, Sacramento and Nashville.
As cities face growing pressure from climate change and resource constraints, the program offers a structured approach focused on public health, efficiency and resilience. The cohort model also emphasizes collaboration, with cities sharing data, exchanging solutions and addressing common challenges throughout the process.
Since 2017, the program has engaged nearly 140 municipalities, supported in part by Bank of America, expanding access to sustainability tools and certification pathways. As cities look for practical ways to manage climate risks, initiatives like LEED for Cities are increasingly seen as scalable frameworks for urban transformation.