Manual for sustainable brownfield regeneration
Brownfields are abandoned pieces of property that were formerly used for manufacturing or other industrial purposes that have often been compromised by environmental contamination. Reclaiming brownfields has taken on increased significance in Europe, particularly following the recent enlargement of the European Union, in the name of sustainable development. Recovering brownfields leads to many benefits, including maximising use of existing infrastructure, creation of jobs, wealth and property value, and improvement of city aesthetics. The Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme funded 14 partners from across the EU to develop guidance on brownfield regeneration. The RESCUE project consortium combined its expertise and experience to create a manual directed at the full range of stakeholders: project managers, landowners, developers, planners, policymakers, regulators, citizens, contractors, designers and professional advisors. With such a wide audience, it was necessary to emphasise practical advice based on best practice while limiting the scientific content. The manual is enriched with case studies and several tools, such as the Virtual Training Centre and Sustainable Assessment Tool. Questionnaires and check-lists help streamline the process, especially for newcomers. Weaknesses in current brownfield regeneration methods are identified and solutions are put forward. Finally, the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of funding brownfield regeneration is covered in detail. The RESCUE consortium has made the manual available to the public for free. Versions are available in English, Polish, German, French and Russian. Proliferation of the manual will help raise awareness and focus efforts across the region on reintroducing brownfield sites into the suburban and urban fabric.