Revitalisation of degraded areas fits in perfectly within the strategy of sustainable development inm modern construction industry and architectural design. Basic principles of sustainable architectural design make all due allowances for, as well as address at some depth the overall need for respecting natural environment and natural resources. On the basis of the two select architectural developments sited within the ecologically degraded areas, i.e. Foshan Lingnan Tiandi Development estate, China and The Yard Redevelopment in Washington, DC, USA an evaluative study was undertaken, with a view to assessing the specific actions aimed at enhancing the prospective development sites. All three development projects were implemented within the framework of the LEED assessment programme for the sustainably built buildings, devised and developed by USGBC, a US non- profit organisation of global stature.

Revitalisation of degraded areas fits in perfectly within the strategy of sustainable development inm modern construction industry and architectural design. Basic principles of sustainable architectural design make all due allowances for, as well as address at some depth the overall need for respecting natural environment and natural resources. On the basis of the two select architectural developments sited within the ecologically degraded areas, i.e. Foshan Lingnan Tiandi Development estate, China and The Yard Redevelopment in Washington, DC, USA an evaluative study was undertaken, with a view to assessing the specific actions aimed at enhancing the prospective development sites. All three development projects were implemented within the framework of the LEED assessment programme for the sustainably built buildings, devised and developed by USGBC, a US non- profit organisation of global stature.