The certification SITES for existing landscapes offers an innovative approach to promoting sustainability in built urban spaces. Furthermore, this programme, developed as an extension of the SITES certification, assesses and rewards sustainable practices in the management and maintenance of existing outdoor spaces.
What is the SITES Certification for Existing Landscapes?
The grading system SITES For new constructions, it is fundamental to protect and restore ecosystems, foster resilience, and prioritise community wellbeing. Nevertheless, many urban environments also seek to achieve these sustainable goals. It is for this reason that the GBCI has launched the pilot version of the SITES Certification for Existing Landscapes. This programme recognises projects that demonstrate a continued commitment to environmental sustainability and the improvement of urban space quality. The SITES Certification for Existing Landscapes promotes sustainable practices that extend the service life and ecological value of urban spaces, integrating credits LEED in your evaluation system.
Source: Sports City Project in Ecuador
Certification Process SITES for existing landscapes
The SITES certification process includes evaluation, detailed design, implementation, documentation, and review by the GBCI. Projects must meet specific requirements and accumulate points to achieve certification levels that recognise their contribution to long-term sustainability.
These projects will follow a personalised pilot guide based on SITES v2, evaluating practices
sustainable site management and monitoring the social, economic and environmental benefits.
Source: https://www.sustainablesites.org/
Benefits of Certification SITES for existing landscapes
The SITES for Existing Landscapes certification offers a wide range of benefits for sustainable projects. Here are some of the key benefits of obtaining this certification:
• Continuous Improvement and Cost Reduction. Promotes the adoption of practices that conserve natural resources and improve environmental quality in urbanised spaces. In the long term, certified projects can experience significant savings in operation and maintenance, offsetting the initial implementation costs.
• Climate Regulation and Air and Water Purification. It helps to maintain historical atmospheric gas levels, facilitating carbon capture and regulating global and local climate. Furthermore, it eliminates and reduces air and water pollutants, improving environmental health and quality of life.
• Risk Mitigation and Erosion Control. Reduces the risk of flood damage, storm tides, fires, and droughts. It also conserves soil, mitigating erosion and sediment loss.
• Human Health and Well-being. Improves physical, mental, and social well-being through connection with nature, providing healthy environments for communities.
• Habitat Functions and Cultural Benefits. It provides shelter and breeding habitat for plants and animals, contributing to the conservation of biological and genetic diversity. It enhances cultural, educational, aesthetic, and spiritual experiences through interaction with nature.
• Recognition and Leadership in Sustainability. Highlight projects in the market for their commitment to sustainability and innovation in the management of existing urban spaces. Obtaining certification recognises the sustainable practices implemented and positions the project as a crucial example of sustainability to a wider audience.
Source: https://sustainablesites.org/xuhui-runway-park
The SITES Certification for Existing Landscapes not only promotes environmental sustainability but also contributes to the health and well-being of urban communities by offering healthier and more resilient spaces. This certification is a valuable tool for transforming urban spaces into more sustainable and adaptive environments, tackling current environmental challenges with nature-based solutions.
Ready to transform your urban space into a model of sustainability? Contact us Now and discover how we can help you obtain SITES certification for Existing Landscapes.
Camila Harguindeguy
Civil Engineer and Sustainability Consultant, Espacios Evalore SLP
