brownfield sites in construction?

Question

what are the short term and long term benefits of cleaning hazordous materials from a brownfield site and building new houses on it ???

Answer 1

Brownfields are sites that are usually in economicly repressed areas. Most of the companies that created the Brownfields do not have the money to remediate the site to be totally clean.

The best Environmental policy to come out of Bush (1)/Clinton was the Brownfield policy.

It enables states to relax clean up levels so that the properties can be sold. By restricting the deed (no manufacturing), it reduces the likelyhood of future releases.

Because the land is restricted, it is below market value and can be used by municipalities to stimulate economic growth in the area.

Answer 2

Brownfield is land previously used for industry, normally excluding agriculture, eg a barn. the exact definitiion varies by country.

So it depends what the industry was what pollution or other hazards, metal posts, concrete, pits, might be left.
For new building the developer should ensure all contaminants are cleared to a secure site (sealed landfil) before building, so adding to his costs.

there is loss of a potential wildlife habitat, and loss of the local industry.
the benefit is that it saves putting housing developments on farmland or open country. It can help regenerate areas, but may make them to expensive for local people (who are now unemployed due to factory closure).