SITES Certification: What It Is and How to Apply This Standard in Sustainable Urban and Landscape Projects

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025

We recently held, together with the GBC Perú (Green Building Council Peru), an exclusive webinar on SITES Certification, where we explored how this tool can transform outdoor spaces into healthier, more resilient, and sustainable environments. If you missed it or want to learn more, here is everything you need to know about this certification, its benefits, and the types of projects that can pursue it.

What Is SITES Certification?

SITES (Sustainable SITES Initiative) is the most comprehensive international certification for evaluating the design, construction, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes and urban developments. Through a holistic approach, it promotes efficient resource use, ecosystem conservation, and the generation of social benefits such as improved human health and community well-being. SITES significantly contributes to reducing water and energy consumption, restoring biodiversity habitats, promoting outdoor recreation, and improving air quality.

Benefits of Certifying Your Project with SITES

Choosing SITES certification not only improves a project’s environmental performance — it also adds tangible and intangible value:

  • Application of best practices in landscape architecture and urban design.
  • Increases project appeal for users, communities, and investors.
  • Promotes biodiversity and climate resilience.
  • Reduces consumption of natural resources.
  • Promotes physical and emotional well-being of people.
  • Reinforces the project’s image as an environmentally responsible development.
  • Ensures compliance with international sustainability standards.

What Projects Can Be SITES Certified?

SITES is a versatile certification applicable to a wide variety of outdoor spaces, including:

  • Open spaces: urban parks, botanical gardens, recreational areas.
  • Commercial projects: corporate campuses, office zones.
  • Residential developments: planned neighborhoods, single-family homes.
  • Institutional and educational infrastructure: hospitals, museums, universities.
  • Urban landscapes: streets, plazas, waterfronts, and public spaces.


SITES Assessment Categories

SITES structures its scoring system around ten key areas that ensure a holistic approach:

  • Site context
  • Pre-design assessment and planning
  • Water
  • Soil and vegetation
  • Material selection
  • Human health and well-being
  • Construction
  • Operations and maintenance (O+M)
  • Education and performance monitoring
  • Innovation and exemplary performance

Certification Levels

SITES certification is awarded at four levels based on points earned:

  • Certified: 70 - 84 points
  • Silver: 85 - 99 points
  • Gold: 100 - 134 points
  • Platinum: 135 or more points

SUMAC: Your Strategic Partner for SITES Certification

At SUMAC, we are a reference in sustainability consulting, supporting our clients in the design, planning, and execution of projects that meet the highest international standards. We were part of the development of the first project in Peru to achieve SITES Certification: Vive Paracas, a pioneering urban development that today marks a milestone in the country for its sustainable approach and environmental commitment. If you are interested in applying this certification to your project and being part of the shift toward greener, more human cities, do not hesitate to contact us.

Let's talk about your next project
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Let's talk about your next project
¡Contáctanos!
Let's talk about your next project
¡Contáctanos!
Let's talk about your next project
¡Contáctanos!