Photo courtesy of Steven W. Peck POLICY LEADERSHIP DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S FLEXIBLE GREEN AREA RATIO POLICY BY DR. HAMID KARIMI AND MARGIE NOONAN The District of Columbia's Green Area Ratio (GAR) is an innovative zoning regulation that promotes the use of landscaping and sustainable practices to reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, reduce the city's heat island effect, and enable healthy outdoor living. New buildings that require a Certificate of Occupancy (this certificate ensures the structure/land conforms to DC's zoning regulation) must comply with GAR. Additions and interior renovations to existing buildings must comply with GAR when their cost of construction exceeds 100 percent of the assessed building value. LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR / SPRING 2017 / 26 LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COMhttp://www.LIVINGARCHITECTUREMONITOR.COM