Skip to main content
NITA AccreditedFoundationPhysical + Virtual5 daysTOSD632

Training on Sustainable Development Practices with Sustainable Sites Initiative

Understand sustainable practices. This training gives you the fundamentals to apply the SITES framework to create responsible and viable projects.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

5 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Foundation

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

Sustainable land design and development are critical to creating resilient communities and ecosystems. This course introduces participants to sustainable development practices guided by the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES®), an interdisciplinary framework for designing and maintaining healthy ecosystems in built environments. Participants will gain knowledge of sustainable site planning, ecosystem services, water and soil management, material use, and long-term performance monitoring. Real-world case studies will highlight the application of SITES standards in projects that balance environmental, social, and economic goals.

Duration

5 Days

Who Should Attend

  • Urban planners, architects, and landscape architects

  • Environmental consultants and sustainability officers

  • Government officials in land use and planning departments

  • Construction and infrastructure project managers

  • NGO and development professionals focused on sustainable development

  • Researchers and students in urban planning, ecology, or environmental management

Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the principles and goals of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES®)

  • Apply sustainable site design practices to planning, development, and management projects

  • Assess and integrate ecological systems into project designs

  • Evaluate water, soil, vegetation, and material management strategies

  • Analyze case studies demonstrating successful implementation of SITES® standards

Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development and SITES®

  • Principles of sustainable land design and development

  • Overview of the Sustainable Sites Initiative framework

  • Benefits of integrating SITES® into projects

  • Case Study: SITES-certified projects in urban and rural contexts

Module 2: Site Assessment and Planning

  • Pre-design assessments: soil, hydrology, vegetation, and climate

  • Integrating ecosystem services into planning

  • Balancing ecological integrity with human development needs

  • Case Study: Sustainable site planning for public parks and campuses

Module 3: Water, Soil, and Vegetation Management

  • Sustainable stormwater and water-use strategies

  • Soil restoration and protection practices

  • Native and adaptive vegetation for biodiversity and resilience

  • Case Study: Restoring degraded urban landscapes using SITES® principles

Module 4: Materials, Construction, and Human Health

  • Sustainable material sourcing and life-cycle considerations

  • Reducing environmental impacts of construction practices

  • Creating spaces that enhance human well-being and community benefits

  • Case Study: Integrating green infrastructure in commercial developments

Module 5: Performance Monitoring and Long-Term Sustainability

  • Measuring and verifying sustainable performance over time

  • SITES certification process and scoring system

  • Future directions in sustainable land development

  • Case Study: Post-occupancy evaluation of SITES-certified projects

Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Strengthened capacity to deliver projects aligned with global sustainability benchmarks

  • Enhanced reputation through adoption of recognized SITES® standards

  • Reduced environmental risks and long-term operational costs

  • Improved compliance with sustainability-related policies and frameworks

Individual Impact

  • Practical knowledge of applying SITES® principles to real-world projects

  • Improved technical expertise in sustainable land planning and development

  • Increased ability to integrate ecosystem services into design decisions

  • Career growth in urban sustainability, planning, and environmental consultancy

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

To provide you with the essential skills to design, develop, and manage sustainable land development projects using the principles of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES).

Course finder

Find the right course for you

Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.

For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Sustainable Development Practices with Sustainable Sites Initiative in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.