Member-only story

Building Sustainable Future On Sites Of Our Polluting Past

Arthur Mason

·2.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Sustainable Brownfield Development: Building A Sustainable Future On Sites Of Our Polluting Past

4 min read · 2 weeks before

33 View Claps

8 Respond

Save

Listen

Sustainable Brownfield Development: Building a Sustainable Future on Sites of our Polluting Past

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7463 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	274 pages

Brownfield sites are a common sight in many urban areas. These sites have been contaminated by industrial or commercial activities, and they often pose a hazard to human health and the environment. However, brownfield sites can also be redeveloped into sustainable communities, and this can have a number of benefits.

The Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment

There are a number of benefits to redeveloping brownfield sites. First, it can help to clean up contaminated land and make it safe for human use. Second, it can help to create jobs and boost the local economy. Third, it can help to revitalize blighted areas and make them more attractive to residents and businesses.

In addition to these benefits, brownfield redevelopment can also help to promote environmental justice. Brownfield sites are often located in low-income and minority communities, and these communities have often been disproportionately affected by the environmental hazards posed by these sites. By redeveloping brownfield sites into sustainable communities, we can help to address this inequality.

Challenges of Brownfield Redevelopment

There are also a number of challenges associated with brownfield redevelopment. First, it can be expensive to clean up contaminated land. Second, there may be legal liability issues associated with redeveloping brownfield sites. Third, there may be community opposition to brownfield redevelopment projects.

Despite these challenges, brownfield redevelopment can be a valuable tool for creating sustainable communities. By working together, we can overcome these challenges and create a more sustainable future for our cities.

Case Studies

There are a number of successful brownfield redevelopment projects that have been completed in recent years. One example is the redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This site was once one of the largest steel mills in the world, but it closed in 1995. The site was then redeveloped into a mixed-use development that includes residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The redevelopment project created thousands of jobs and helped to revitalize the local economy.

Another example of successful brownfield redevelopment is the redevelopment of the former Union Carbide site in Charleston, West Virginia. This site was once home to a chemical plant that produced a variety of products, including pesticides and herbicides. The plant closed in 1987, and the site was contaminated with a number of hazardous chemicals. The site was then redeveloped into a mixed-use development that includes residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The redevelopment project cleaned up the contaminated land and made it safe for human use, and it also created jobs and boosted the local economy.

Brownfield redevelopment is a valuable tool for creating sustainable communities. By redeveloping brownfield sites, we can clean up contaminated land, create jobs, and revitalize blighted areas. We can also help to promote environmental justice by addressing the disproportionate impact that brownfield sites have on low-income and minority communities.

There are a number of challenges associated with brownfield redevelopment, but these challenges can be overcome by working together. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for our cities.

Sustainable Brownfield Development: Building a Sustainable Future on Sites of our Polluting Past

5 out of 5