The Dell Medical District has achieved SITES Gold from the Sustainable SITES Initiative for significant landscape sustainability achievements. The Medical District earned the first SITES v2 Gold certification in Texas. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc., SITES is a comprehensive rating system designed to distinguish sustainable landscapes, measure their performance and elevate their value.
As part of the 16.2-acre development of Dell Medical School Phase, the project landscape designers collaborated with Facilities Services Landscape Services to revitalize the Waller Creek corridor to improve its ecological function. Landscape Services was involved in the site planning, including identifying trees for repurposing.
Restoration of the Dell Med portion of the creek corridor was an 18-month process that included removing invasive species, stabilizing the stream bank and revegetating the area with adaptive and native plants. Regional materials were used to reduce the energy expended for transportation, promote regional identity and support the local economy. Repurposed trees became part of the furnishings in the Health Transformation and Health Learning buildings, as well as in Dell Seton Medical Center.
Now, Landscape Services maintains most of the site. They employ sustainable methods that include use of manual and electric-powered tools rather than equipment powered by fossil fuel. The Landscape Services irrigation team monitors irrigation and oversees the reuse of rainwater and air conditioning condensate that were incorporated into the design and construction of the Dell Medical School.
Thanks to the landscape design and Landscape Services’ efforts, outdoor water use is expected to be reduced by more than 75 percent of what would be used without careful plant selection, soil restoration, irrigation monitoring and water reuse.