| This thesis is a comprehensive study of the redevelopment of brownfields. It focuses on three main issues: the available technology that can be used to cleanup brownfields effectively; the analysis of results to best decide which cleanup initiatives will be most effective; and the presentation of an overview of existing and proposed brownfields redevelopment schemes and the present and future legislation, which would set the guidelines for the redevelopment of brownfields. Included in the present thesis are also a brief history of brownfields, the presently established or proposed cleanup criteria to be negotiated, and the economic feasibility or advantages of developing a brownfields site vs. greenfields. A description of different organizations and partnerships and their involvement in redevelopment of brownfields is also included, as well as the international and national partnerships involved between the organizations and/or governments.; The primary conclusions presented in this thesis are: (1) The USA has been in the forefront of legislation and promoting Brownfields redevelopment and, currently, the only country with a federal level specific act. (2) In the cleanup of Brownfields, priority should be placed in innovative technologies that either eliminate or significantly reduce the remaining risk to public health and the environment. (3) Redevelopment of Brownfields allows for urban development without the adverse impacts of urban sprawl with its associated destruction of greenfields, while it reduces contamination and health risks from abandoned industrial sites, as well as it develops new sources of employment, tax revenue and public activities. |
