Page 118 - Beyond Decommissioning

Relevant factors for redevelopment 99

determining the outcome of many redevelopment projects may fall under national
or regional jurisdiction. Most of the capital needed to finance redevelopment may
be controlled by private financial institutions, and many decisions about reuse of
property stay with the property owner.
Because sustainability of natural systems is not confined to single sites, sustainable
site redevelopment must be considered within local, regional, and often global con-
texts. Such sustainability factors include: ecosystem productivity and biodiversity;
soil quality; hydrology of the watershed including surface streams and groundwater
recharge; air quality; impact on necessary natural disturbances; and cascading effects
from redevelopment to downstream users. Where decisions affecting site redevelop-
ment do affect broader contexts, negotiations with the bearers of broader interests
(e.g., in the US national and regional parks, Departments of Fish and Wildlife, and
Department of Transportation) should be incepted at an early planning stage.
Behaving as “forbidden zones,” brownfields interfere with broader networks,
reducing mobility of people and goods, and integration of activities. By improving
the viability of these networks, the redevelopment of brownfields increases social
integration and accessibility to social services, such as open spaces and amenities.
Economically, it enhances the integration of new businesses with those nearby,
increasing accessibility of customers, consumers, or workers. Environmentally, it
reduces distances between workplaces, so reducing fuel consumption and airborne
pollution (Centre of Land Policy and Valuations, 2014).
A redevelopment project should consider the site’s existing infrastructure as the
baseline. This includes aspects such as accessibility, power, sewer capacity, emer-
gency response, and water. A community’s future needs can be compared with the
present infrastructure to determine modifications or upgrading that can be brought
about by redevelopment projects.
Redevelopment projects can be sites for historical and architectural preservation, or
cultural and educational opportunities. Existing historic buildings and areas mark a
sense of permanence within the community and provide generational continuity. In
the United States, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires developers
to consider the impact of their interventions on historic properties. Documented arche-
ological finds or sites of historical significance should be identified before acquiring
or leasing (or a fortiori, redeveloping) a site.
Redevelopment projects that include the renovation of old buildings as museums
and cultural and educational community centers not only bestow economic benefits,
but also reinforce community pride. By contrast, redevelopment can be limited by his-
toric designations that are regulated in many communities. For example, if a redevel-
opment project requires infrastructure enhancements (e.g., air conditioning, parking
areas, or even “greening” efforts), there will be a need to evaluate if this negatively
impacts a historic property.
A number of stakeholder aspects, related case studies, and reference literature are
illustrated in SMARTe.org (2010). The specific role and influence of architects in a
heritage redevelopment project is discussed in Campagnol (2017).
Stakeholder interactions can help or hinder the redevelopment process and all
parties should ideally adhere to mutual understanding and trust rules. By enhancing