Shopping centres

Certify sustainable shopping centres with the DGNB

Shopping centres can be found in many city centres and district centres. They are usually characterised by a large number of retail, gastronomy and service outlets of different sizes that are centrally managed. A high quality of space and accessibility are particularly important for this type of building in order to be attractive to customers. The DGNB scheme for shopping centres serves as a planning and quality assurance tool for sustainable, healthy and inviting shopping centres.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings" and "Buildings In Use" apply to shopping centres. The DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022" apply to international projects. Exceptions are projects that have already been pre-certified with a previous market version. These projects may also be registered for the certificate in the same version.

  • Contribution to climate action through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases over the entire life cycle
  • High user comfort
  • Increased well-being
  • Increased attractiveness for employees and customers
  • Increased productivity and performance of employees and customers
  • Low vacancy risk
  • High building flexibility due to e.g. easier adaptations in case of changes (operating processes; personnel)
  • Lower costs for conversions
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs
  • Advantages when selling real estate

The certificate is aimed at all those who want to plan and build shopping centres. These can be project development offices, companies as owner-occupiers or real estate funds. Anyone who wants to purchase such a property or rent it for use can use the DGNB Certificate as independently verified proof of the holistic quality of the building.

  • Holistic consideration of all relevant sustainability requirements
  • Transparent and independent quality award and assurance during planning, construction and operation
  • Transparency with regard to ressource efficency and emissions
  • Communication of the project to the public and increase of acceptance
  • International applicability and comparability
  • Reduced effort for DGNB Certification of Buildings due to the creditability of documentation from district certification
  • Basis for sale in sustainable real estate funds
  • Certification as an option for sustainable investments
  • Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Higher return on investment
  • High degree of future security through reduction of cost-intensive risks

Selected DGNB certified projects

Rée Carré Offenburg
Rée Carré Offenburg, Offenburg
Buildings New Construction
Shopping Centres
East Side Mall
East Side Mall, Berlin
Buildings New Construction
Shopping Centres

Available criteria sets in English

Document|pdf|English|9 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2023

Document|pdf|English|14 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2018

Document|pdf|English|15 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International

Document|pdf|English|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Buildings In Use, Version 2020

Document|pdf|English|12 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International

Overview of all
criteria and schemes

In order to address the individual characteristics of your building project, the DGNB System takes into account a variety of criteria and schemes.
You can find an overview here.

Overview of all criteria and schemes

Project registration

To register a project, clients must first hire a DGNB Auditor. This auditor can then register the project. Auditors also accompany the entire process and take over the verification and submission to the DGNB. They are active worldwide and specialise in certain schemes.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings" and "Buildings In Use" apply to shopping centres. The DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects.

Find a dgnb auditor

Scale of fees

Project registration


Your contact

Andrea Schwitalla

Senior Consultant Multiple Certification