Greening the Browns: A Bio-Based Land Use Framework for Analysing the Potential of Urban Brownfields in an Urban Circular Economy

Shaswati Chowdhury, Jaan-Henrik Kain, Marco Adelfio, Yevheniya Volchko and Jenny Norrman
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Shaswati Chowdhury: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Jaan-Henrik Kain: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Marco Adelfio: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Yevheniya Volchko: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Jenny Norrman: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Göteborg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-30

Abstract: The Circular Economy (CE) is expected to accelerate the use of resources with bio-based origin. Cities have an important role in such an economy, not only as main consumers but also because vegetation provides numerous ecosystem services essential for the well-being of urban dwellers. Urban lands are, however, heavily burdened with both past and present activities and ongoing urbanization. Retrofitting obsolete and potentially contaminated brownfields provides an opportunity to engage with bio-based land uses within the city. At the same time, plants are an important part of Gentle Remediation Options (GROs), a more sustainable alternative for managing contamination risks and restoring soil health. This paper (1) provides a tentative selection of Urban Greenspaces (UGSs) relevant for brownfields, and a compilation of ecosystem services provided by the selected UGSs, and (2) presents a framework covering the 14 selected bio-based land uses on brownfields, including GRO interventions over time. This framework provides three practical tools: the conceptualization of linkages between GROs and prospective UGS uses, a scatter diagram for the realization of 14 UGS opportunities on brownfields, and a decision matrix to analyze the requirements for UGS realization on brownfields.

Keywords: circular economy (CE); brownfields; urban greenspace (UGS); gentle remediation options (GROs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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