Author(s)

C. N. Brooks

Abstract

Sustainable development practices began making their debut in the US at about the same time that brownfields reuse came of age, although both have traveled independent, disconnected paths. Indisputably, reusing brownfields advances the three inter-connected pillars of sustainable development: environment (by remediating threats to public health and the environment), economy (by creating jobs or revitalizing decayed, abandoned areas), and society (by enhancing community pride and security). Furthermore, most agree that recycling land— the fundamental premise of brownfields reuse—does, in fact, represent sustainable development. However, at present there are few meaningful resources or guidelines for the holistic integration of brownfields reuse and sustainable development. Notwithstanding the separation in the policy and practice of brownfields reuse and sustainable development, both areas share many overlapping, similar and recurring issues, strategies and key success factors. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the best practices in brownfields reuse and sustainable development in order to demonstrate the multiple areas of commonality and overlap in both fields. Utilizing the separate lessons learned from brownfields reuse and sustainable development, this paper offers a set of practical, guiding principles and criteria that integrate the best practices of both fields. Ultimately, this paper seeks to place brownfields reuse and sustainable development on a unified, shared path so that brownfields can be redeveloped in a truly sustainable manner. Keywords: brownfields, redevelopment, sustainable development, best practices, smart growth, LID, green building-development.

Keywords

brownfields, redevelopment, sustainable development, best practices,smart growth, LID, green building-development.