brownfields
Contaminated former sites
Brownfields are abandoned or underused industrial and commercial properties where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
The term contrasts with greenfields—undeveloped land.
Brownfield redevelopment typically requires environmental assessment and cleanup before new construction can begin: The city converted old factory brownfields into affordable housing.
Developers prefer greenfield sites to avoid brownfield remediation costs.
Restoration of order
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- soil testingExamining ground composition
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
- excavationAct of unearthing
capping · risk assessment · remediate · Superfund · EPA · liability · due diligence · environmental audit
Abandoned or neglectful
- rust beltDeclining industrial region
- deindustrializationLoss of industrial capacity
- vacant lotsUnoccupied land parcels
- eyesoreOffensively unattractive thing
decay · disrepair · urban blight · post-industrial · manufacturing decline
Restoring vigor or vitality
- adaptive reuseRetrofitting buildings for new functions
- infill developmentBuilding on unused urban land
- land reclamationCreating ground from water
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
mixed-use · transformation · investment · tax incentives · community development · economic growth · stakeholders · gentrification
Sectioning areas by use
- land useHow terrain is allocated
- transit-oriented developmentDense construction near stations
- urban designShaping cities physically
- master planOverall strategic framework
green space · infrastructure · environmental impact · sustainability · density · rezoning · entitlements · variance
Environmental harm from waste
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- hazardous wasteDangerous discards threatening health
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
asbestos · chemicals · soil contamination · groundwater pollution · industrial waste · lead · petroleum · solvents
cleanup
Restoration of order
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- soil testingExamining ground composition
- bioremediationLiving organisms detoxify pollutants
excavation · capping · risk assessment · remediate · Superfund · EPA · liability · due diligence · environmental audit
derelict
Abandoned or neglectful
- rust beltDeclining industrial region
- deindustrializationLoss of industrial capacity
- vacant lotsUnoccupied land parcels
eyesore · decay · disrepair · urban blight · post-industrial · manufacturing decline
revitalization
Restoring vigor or vitality
- adaptive reuseRetrofitting buildings for new functions
- infill developmentBuilding on unused urban land
- land reclamationCreating ground from water
rehabilitation · mixed-use · transformation · investment · tax incentives · community development · economic growth · stakeholders · gentrification · anchor tenant
zoning
Sectioning areas by use
- land useHow terrain is allocated
- transit-oriented developmentDense construction near stations
- urban designShaping cities physically
master plan · green space · infrastructure · environmental impact · sustainability · density · rezoning · entitlements · variance · planning commission
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- hazardous wasteDangerous discards threatening health
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
PCBs · asbestos · chemicals · soil contamination · groundwater pollution · industrial waste · lead · petroleum · solvents · carcinogens
- real estatehouse, home, apartment, property, sale
- eyesoreseyesore, blight, garbage, trash, junk
- urban developmenturban development, sprawl, city planning, urban policy, zoning
- Environmental Healthair pollution, water pollution, toxic exposure, hazardous waste, emissions
- Environmental Justiceenvironmental racism, environmental rights, environmental policy, climate justice, social equity
- industrial declinedeindustrialization, factory closures, factory closure, plant shutdowns, plant shutdown
brownfieldsgreenfields
Undeveloped land for building
virgin land · undeveloped land · raw land · open space · agricultural land
brownfieldsnatural habitats
Organisms' original living environments
greenspace · conservation land · protected areas · wilderness areas · nature preserves