New York State is advancing sustainable urban development and addressing the housing crisis through the Creedmoor Net Zero Master Plan, an initiative that will transform approximately 58 acres of underutilized land within the Creedmoor campus in Eastern Queens, New York. VHB is providing critical strategic guidance, bringing together the New York State Empire State Development (NYSESD) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to align policy, funding, and innovation in support of net-zero development.
Building upon the Creedmoor Community Master Plan, which identified key revitalization opportunities, the Creedmoor Net Zero Master Plan directly supports the Creedmoor Mixed-Use Project. This project will deliver much-needed affordable housing, neighborhood retail, community facilities, and accessible open space. VHB is leveraging its deep understanding of these initiatives to drive the net-zero goals, benchmarking against stringent climate policies and developing comprehensive guidelines for clean energy, mobility, and sustainable development.
“Creedmoor presents a unique opportunity to tackle New York City’s affordable housing crisis while becoming a leader in development that advances the state’s ambitious climate and sustainability goals,” said Andrew Buck, Senior Urban Planner/Technologist at VHB. “By incorporating clean energy strategies, large-scale thermal and network systems, resilient energy distribution and storage, and high-performance district standards, this project can set a national precedent for achieving net-zero development at a community scale.”
With support from its Energy Evolution Practice, VHB is developing a crucial clean energy master plan to transform Creedmoor into a sustainable and energy-efficient district. Leveraging advanced technology, this plan establishes high-performance building and site design standards, emphasizing energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy, clean mobility, and district heating and cooling systems. It also incorporates microgrid and battery energy storage solutions to enhance resilience. Most importantly, the plan provides a roadmap for leveraging energy strategies to support housing affordability, long-term community resilience, and equity.
Example Development Twin (Left)
- Models potential development scenarios.
- Assesses building program and performance.
- Optimizes site and open space for clean energy technologies.
- Plans efficient clean mobility and pedestrian-friendly circulation.
Example Energy Twin (Right)
- Evaluates and improves building energy performance.
- Determines district-scale thermal and energy systems.
- Models on-site clean energy technologies, including renewables and storage.
- Optimizes energy distribution and interconnection.
The team is also creating net-zero developer guidelines to simplify the process for future development, making it easier to align projects with the community’s sustainability goals.
Learn more about VHB’s net zero solutions or contact Andrew Buck today.
