Enhancing Multiple Benefits of Brownfield Cleanups by Applying Ecosystem Services Concepts
Citation:
Mastervich, B., K. Garbach, AND M. Harwell. Enhancing Multiple Benefits of Brownfield Cleanups by Applying Ecosystem Services Concepts. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Frontiers, Lausanne, Switzerland, 12:1286150, (2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1286150
Impact/Purpose:
The aim of brownfield revitalization is to ultimately support sustainable and efficient redevelopment and employment opportunities. Understanding both economic and environmental benefits (e.g., ecosystem services) of cleanups can help with cost-benefit analyses, a key element in identifying productive and attractive revitalization options for stakeholders. This Sub-Product explores the potential relevance of ecosystem services concepts in a brownfields cleanup context.
Description:
Brownfields are increasingly called upon to be transformed from potentially contaminated, often vacant properties into community assets that provide multiple benefits. Decision-makers are using recent policy tools to encourage brownfields revitalization that helps to combat the climate crisis, apply nature-based solutions, and enhance ecosystem services. Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges, simultaneously providing benefits for people and the environment. Brownfields revitalization can provide critical opportunities and, particularly, nature-based solutions can enhance multiple ecological, human health, and economic benefits. Examples of nature-based solutions, where appropriate, include the use of rain gardens, permeable pavements, green spaces, and the use of green technologies . This article provides an overview of recent policy initiatives focused on nature-based solutions and enhancing ecosystem services in brownfields cleanup, revitalization, and reuse. Our goals are to increase the knowledge base on these opportunities and discuss how these concepts can be achieved through sharing success stories, accessible outreach materials, and holding workshops to help successfully operationalize these concepts in a community’s visioning for upcoming revitalization projects.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Enhancing Multiple Benefits of Brownfield Cleanups by Applying Ecosystem Services Concepts