Sustainable Redevelopment of Contaminated Land

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, and peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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ABSTRACT

Human response to environmental degradation is crisis driven. Human short-sightedness appears be grounded in denial and in the unwillingness to make political, economic, and cultural changes. Humans can decide whether to adapt to, or mitigate, anthropogenic environmental damage. Business as usual necessitates adaptation to a changing environment. In a sense, mankind has moved beyond crisis: it has already altered the climate for centuries to come. Human activities are an aggregation of inter-connected actions, causes, and effects. The first chapter provides an introduction to the topic, while the second chapter covers the scope of this dissertation. The third chapter is based on literature review. The fourth chapter presents the analysis of risks involved in redevelopment of contaminated land. The fifth chapter is based on the case studies of three British sites, located in South, Western, and Central Stansted Mountfitchet. The results and findings of this particular research are covered in the sixth chapter; meanwhile, the seventh chapter concludes the dissertation, providing recommendations and implications for further study.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

The Brownfield Problem1

Purpose of Study1

Theoretical Framework2

CHAPTER 2: SCOPE OF THE PROJECT4

Aim of the Research4

Objectives4

Scope of the Research5

Data Collection5

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW6

Concept of Sustainability6

Brownfields Policy and Redevelopment8

Heavy Metal Contamination10

Contamination of Soils12

CHAPTER 4: RISK ANALYSIS15

The Nature of Sustainability Risks and Indicators15

Selection of Urban Sustainability Risk Indicators16

Risk Assessment17

CHAPTER 5: AFTER RISKS WITH CLEANING TECHNIQUES20

Waste Separation20

Remediation Methods22

In situ Immobilisation24

Measuring and Representing Levels of Sustainability Risks26

CHAPTER 6: CASE STUDY29

Introduction29

Critical Analysis of Case Study29

CHAPTER 7: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION31

Results31

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION33

Summary33

Recommendations for Brownfields Policymakers33

Limitations and Areas for Future Research36

Implications of the Study39

Conclusion40

REFERENCES43

APPENDIX - A50

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The Brownfield Problem

Over a century of industrialisation in Britain has left behind a legacy of contamination.1 Toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, industrial wastes, and other by-products of agricultural, bio-medical, mining, residential, industrial, and other commercial activities remain long after the activity that produces it ends (Farrell, 1998, 26). These toxins can leach into the soil and groundwater or become airborne, adversely affecting human health and the environment. As a secondary effect, abandoned, derelict, and underutilised land often depresses the property values of the surrounding neighbourhood and erodes the municipal tax base. No one wants to live, work, or play next to potentially contaminated land. Abandoned sites are an eye sore and often add to security risks, not only for the site itself, but also for local homes and businesses.

At the same time, lower property values mean lower local or municipal taxes, cinching the belt on otherwise tight municipal finances (Eisen, 1996, ...