• KIEAE Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 2014

Although assessing outdoor environment and green space in terms of sustainability and environmental performance is perceived as an important issue, most existing green building certification systems are more focused on buildings and indoor environment. Recently, the Sustainable Site Initiatives (SITES) has been developed by American Society of Landscape Architecture in order to evaluate sustainability of site development and outdoor environment. Separate from LEED, the SITES are increasingly receiving attentions as a reliable certification system in the United States. As a preliminary study to develop the items of outdoor environmental assessment, the present study is purposed to analyze the assessment items, grading system and applicability of SITES for better understanding on the system. Also it was compared to existing green building certification criteria, including G-SEED, LEED-NC, and LEED-ND in order to investigate similarities and discrepancies. The results would provide insights and basic data to improve assessment items for outdoor environment of G-SEED.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.56-64
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• 2016

While many assessment systems for buildings and indoor environment have been created with increasing interest in sustainable development, assessments for sustainable landscaping and outdoor environments have received less attention. Recently, the Sustainable Site Initiatives(SITES) was developed in the USA in order to evaluate and certify sustainable landscape design projects. The purposes of this study are to analyze sustainable landscape strategies and to review the certification system through case studies of SITES certified projects. Three certified projects in Texas were selected and literature review, site visits and interview were conducted. The results indicated that various sustainable and practical strategies were applied including soil preservation, use of native plants and recycled materials, and water harvesting. Also, SITES has benefits to encourage an integrated design process, community participation, and environmental education for the public. This suggests that a certification system for landscaping and outdoor environments needs to be developed to ensure sustainable site development, which helps extend the roles of the landscape architecture profession in sustainable design.