Milan's Citylife neighborhood is the first urban area in the world to achieve Platinum level in three international sustainability certifications awarded by independent bodies: the "oscar" of sustainability in urban planning.

Specifically, the certifications were awarded: LEED for Cities and Communities, from U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC); WELL for Community, from International WELL Building Institute (IWBI); SITES, from Green Business Certification.

LEED for Cities and Communities certification evaluates the design, development and management of communities from environmental, social and economic perspectives, rewarding the least possible impact on the environment. CityLife has achieved the Platinum level with regard to the LEED v4.1 for Communities: Existing protocol.

The WELL for Community certification assesses the development of a resilient, inclusive and integrated community based on a strong identity that can positively impact people's mental and physical well-being.

SITES certification specifically contributes to the creation, development and management of resilient and sustainable outdoor spaces and landscapes, with total respect for nature. In mid-2022, GBCI launched the pilot project 'SITES for Existing Landscapes' (an adaptation of the SITES v2 classification system) to focus on built landscapes versus new construction and evaluate the design, management practices and policies, and ongoing monitoring of sites.

SITES promotes nature-based solutions to foster resilience, reduce pollution, conserve resources, create habitat, and improve health and well-being in a community. CityLife is the first project in Europe to achieve SITES certification, and the first in the world to achieve the Platinum level under the SITES for Existing Landscapes pilot.