Potential for Eco-Industrial Park Development in Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada): A Comparative Analysis

Rachelle LeBlanc, Carole Tranchant, Yves Gagnon and Raymond Côté
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Rachelle LeBlanc: Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Université de Moncton, 18 Avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
Carole Tranchant: Faculty of Health Sciences and Community Services, Université de Moncton, 18 Avenue Antonine-Maillet, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
Yves Gagnon: Science Sector, Université de Moncton, 165 Boulevard Hébert, Edmundston, NB E3V 2S8, Canada
Raymond Côté: School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 5, 1-18

Abstract: Eco-industrial development projects are increasingly popular because of their ability to transform the traditional model of industrial parks into more sustainable forms of economic development. Still, few industrial parks worldwide have achieved the high degree of eco-transformation that characterizes eco-industrial parks (EIPs). Assessing the potential for eco-industrial development at the park or regional scale is an important step towards this goal. This study aimed to assess the potential for ecological development of a growing industrial park (Caledonia Industrial Estates (CIE), province of New Brunswick, Canada) following the principles of industrial ecology. A baseline survey of CIE businesses was conducted. The results were compared to results from similar assessments in three other industrial parks across Canada, located in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The main categories used for comparison were business variety and size, public transportation, green spaces, energy and material use, and environmental management organization. While showing that CIE has EIP potential, the results revealed similarities and differences between the industrial parks studied, some of which were related to barriers limiting the efficient use and sharing of resources. One way that was identified that could help CIE incorporate eco-industrial activities into their operations would be the appointment of an environmental management organization or a shared environmental manager. Strategies to foster EIP development, in general, are also identified. These findings, based on actual business experiences, can help determine which actions and activities are suitable for CIE and other business communities that consider eco-industrial development as their next phase. They are particularly relevant to industrial parks in a development or redevelopment phase.

Keywords: eco-industrial development; eco-transformation; industrial ecology; eco-industrial parks; baseline survey; barriers and opportunities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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