Sustainable Brownfield Regeneration (PDF)

Sustainable Brownfield Regeneration presents a comprehensive
account of UK policies, processes and practices in brownfield
regeneration and takes an integrated and theoretically-grounded
approach to highlight best practice.

Brownfield regeneration has become a major policy driver in
developed countries. It is estimated that there are 64,000 hectares
of brownfield land in England, much of which presents severe
environmental challenges and lies alongside some of the most
deprived communities in the country. Bringing such land back into
active use has taken on a new urgency among policymakers,
developers and other stakeholders in the development process.
Frequently, however, policy thinking and practice has been
underpinned by 'silo' mentalities, in which integrated
and multidisciplinary approaches to problem-solving have been
limited.

The book has two principal aims. The first is to examine the
ways in which science and social science research disciplines can
be brought together to help solve important brownfield regeneration
issues, with a focus on the UK. The second is to assess the
efficiency and effectiveness of different types of regeneration
policy and practice, and to show how 'liveable spaces'
can be produced from 'problem places'. The Thames
Gateway in the south of England and Greater Manchester in the North
of England are shown as examples of how brownfield regeneration
projects are developing in an era where sustainability is high on
the policy agenda.

From the Foreword by Paul Syms, National Brownfield Advisor,
English Partnerships:

'Ensuring the effective and efficient reuse of brownfield
land is an essential part of the British Government's land
use policies in support of sustainable communities. [This book]
recognises that reusing brownfield land is not just about
over-coming technical issues to remove contamination or other
physical problems with the ground. It highlights the importance of
engaging with the many different stakeholders whose opinions and
concerns need to be taken into account if sustainable outcomes are
to be achieved. The authors also recognise that brownfield land
reuse is not just about building new homes or places of employment
- the creation of new green spaces can be just as
important.'