Open AccessEnhancing ecosystem services at urban brownfield sites – what value does contaminated soil have in the built environment?
Author(s) -
Paul Drenning,
Jenny Norrman,
Shaswati Chowdhury,
Lars Rosén,
Yevheniya Volchko,
Yvonne Andersson-Sköld
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/588/5/052008
Subject(s) - brownfield , ecosystem services , urban ecosystem , urbanization , environmental remediation , environmental planning , environmental science , environmental resource management , ecosystem , land management , land use , business , contamination , ecology , engineering , civil engineering , redevelopment , biology
Urban environments are challenged with a plethora of wicked problems in the face of rapid urbanization and land use change, not least natural capital degradation and widespread land and water contamination. Brownfields, under-used sites with real or perceived contamination, are significant urban and peri-urban land resources which, with well-designed remediation and management strategies can address these concerns. Gentle remediation options (GRO) are scalable nature-based techniques which provide significant opportunities for multi-functionality: managing risks posed by contaminants and at the same time enhance ecosystem services (ES) by improving the soil ecosystem in a low-impact, cost-effective manner. GRO align with an increasing interest in taking a holistic view on soil and land management to protect and improve the soil ecosystem for direct human benefit in the form of ES as well as for its indirect, intrinsic value as a haven for biodiversity. This short review aims to present a synthesis of ideas to raise awareness for urban planners about GRO techniques as nature-based solutions which can promote green infrastructure in the urban environment.