SUB 01 - The role of the development industry in brownfield regeneration (2006)

This bulletin is a guide to the role of the development industry in brownfield regeneration.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.  The study, which was carried out between 2004 and 2006, was based around a major survey of property developers (residential and commercial), and also included structured interviews with developers at a national level; a detailed analysis of the ODPM National Land Use Database, and case studies and further interviews with key brownfield stakeholders in Thames Gateway and Greater Manchester.  A key message emerging from the research is that although the property development industry is coming to terms with brownfield risks, including contamination, major policy barriers are hampering effective regeneration. Furthermore, resolving other issues, relating to density and infrastructure, are key to successful brownfield regeneration.

SUB 02 - Uncovering the True Impacts of Remediation (2007)

This bulletin investigates the sustainability of remediation through the development and use of a sustainability assessment methodology.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

The objective of this work was to identify and compare the wider impacts of a range of remediation technologies in use in the UK. A methodology was developed based on multi-criteria and detailed impact analyses, both of which incorporated life-cycle approaches. This was used to compare three options on a particular site, and highlighted the major impacts from each.

SUB 03 - Climate Change, Pollutant Linkage and Brownfield Regeneration (2007)

This bulletin considers the impact of climate change on contaminated land and brownfield regeneration.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

It examines current stakeholder perspectives and strategies, provides preliminary technical evidence of potential impacts of climate change on contaminated land and remediation systems and discusses potential technical adaptation strategies.

SUB 04 - Measuring Sustainability: Whats in a number? (2007)

This bulletin considers the sustainability evaluation of brownfield projects.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

It describes the design of a practical sustainability assessment framework with the following features: simple, structured, and integrated within existing planning and development processes; and it must assess and monitor the environmental, social and economic implications of a site’s redevelopment throughout its life-cycle.

SUB 05 - Avoiding Future Brownfield Sites through Design for Deconstruction and the Reuse of Building Components (2007)

This bulletin considers the impact of Design for Deconstruction (DfD) on the environment and how future generations can avoid problematic brownfield sites.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

DfD is an emerging design approach that promotes forethought into the end-of-life decommissioning process of a buildings life cycle. In particular the focus of DfD encourages and promotes the systematic disassembly of a building with the intention to reuse building components.  This bulletin discusses how DfD may be achieved and the benefits that can be derived from designing buildings so that they can provide a legacy of components suitable for reuse for future generations whilst treading lightly on the ground.

SUB 06 - Communicating Risk on Contaminated Sites: How Best to Engage with Local Residents (2007)

This bulletin considers the topic of risk communication and focuses on the attitude of local communities to land contamination.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

A combination of large-scale surveys of affected residents and case studies of local policy management was carried out between 2004 and 2006 in two local authorities; one in Thames Gateway (East London) and one in Greater Manchester. The results were used to examine the social construction of risk and risk communication in relation to contaminated sites. The importance of transparent and democratic decision-making processes was confirmed. The findings should be of help to local authorities and other public agencies in the design and implementation of policy for contaminated land.

SUB 07 - Acid Tar Lagoons (2008)

This bulletin provides a state of the art update on the science, assessment and remediation of acid tar lagoons.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

Acid tars are a unique and challenging waste product arising from petroleum refining processes which are now largely obsolete. Typically disposal routes were into existing holes in the ground to form lagoons up to several hectares in area and this legacy remains in many parts of the UK and worldwide.  Until recently there has been little research into acid tars and their environmental impact. This bulletin aims to partly address this information gap by providing a state of the art update on the science, assessment and remediation of acid tar lagoons.

SUB 08 - Community Engagement, Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (2008)

This bulletin focuses on decision-making processes in brownfield development, and the interactions of the key stakeholders within two case study areas, Salford Quays in Greater Manchester and Paddington Basin, in Central London.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

The aim of the research was to focus on the decision-making processes that surround sustainable brownfield development and to focus, in particular, on the negotiations and discussions that took place between technical experts and engineers, planners, developers, and local communities. Key questions for analysis therefore included:
• Who makes/takes decisions about sustainable planning agendas and how are priorities determined?
• What role do engineers and other technical experts have in the development of brownfield sites?
• Which institutions shape development agendas and what are their sources of power and funding?
• What control do local people have over the form and character of development projects?

SUB 9 Quality in land remediation: Indicators and protocols for brownfield land (2008)

This bulletin describes the development of indicators and protocols for measuring quality in land remediation.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

The benefits of quality in land remediation are in reduced failures of remediation, greater consistency for clients and stakeholders and for improved decision-making. The quality approach should result in better adherence to time and cost of the project. There is a perception that quality comes at a cost that clients are not willing to pay, however, investment in quality should result in risk reduction and cost savings for all parties in a remediation project.

SUB 10 The use of compost in the regeneration of brownfield land (2008)

This bulletin considers the use of compost for the establishment of plant growth on remediated soils and the development of novel compost for the remediation of metal contaminated land.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

Remediated soils, where structure has been destroyed during the remediation process, can be improved with compost and unremediated soils can also benefit from compost addition. It has been shown that compost can be used for the remediation of metal contaminated sites but its effectiveness varies according to the type of compost, soil and the metal.

SUB 11 Integrated Remediation, Reclamation and Greenspace Creation on Brownfield Land (2009)

This bulletin provides an overview of how greenspace can be established and used in a sustainable regeneration context and the limiting factors which affect establishment on contaminated and other brownfield land.  It is one of the products of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) research consortium.

Greenspace provides communities with open space for formal and informal recreation, sport, and if connected, safe and pleasant conduits for urban travel. Provision of greenspace for these activities can maintain and enhance human health and well-being by promoting physical activities which can improve cardiovascular condition and reduce the risks of obesity, and through a psychological connection with the natural environment.

SUB 12 SUBR:IM (Sustainable Urban Brownfield Regeneration: Integrated Management) - An Overview

This bulletin provides an overview of the Sustainable Urban Brownfield: Integrated Management (SUBR:IM) project.

The objectives set for the SUBR:IM project were:
1. To enhance the robustness of technical solutions and tools for the restoration of brownfield land and its infrastructure in urban areas.
2. To increase the knowledge base of investors, developers, planning agencies, local authorities, the public, scientists and other stakeholders involved in brownfield development, to integrate their needs within a sustainable framework and seek to encourage investment.
3. To establish best environmental practice in the development of brownfield land in urban areas, which will extend existing knowledge and set benchmarks and sustainability indicators.