Transforming abandoned urban spaces: brownfields, retrofitting and green infrastructure

As urbanisation and population growth accelerates, the increasing demand for land is outpacing its limited supply. Major cities are reaching their physical limits, and increasing urban sprawl can no longer be an effective and sustainable solution. One possible answer: regenerating and renewing existing abandoned urban spaces.*

The rise of brownfield developments

One solution is brownfield developments. Brownfields are previously developed sites that are outdated or no longer in use. By replacing or repurposing outdated buildings found on brownfield sites, you can improve the quality and performance of existing building stock without requiring additional land. 

Brownfield developments offer opportunities to 

• regenerate existing sites 
• reuse finite materials and reduce waste
• improve natural habitats and enhance biodiversity
• reduce construction emissions.

More than 50% of Goodman’s global development program occurs on brownfield sites.

Retrofitting existing urban spaces 

Not only do we need to manage the available land resources, we need to work on reducing our carbon footprint. This can be done through retrofitting existing urban spaces. "We have to be able to decarbonise the spaces that already exist – the buildings and our cities that are already occupied and will have a lifespan of decades more to come" says Catriona Brady, Director of Strategy and Development at the World Green Building Council³. One way to do this is by retrofitting existing buildings. This is the most efficient and cost-effective way to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment.⁴

How to reduce a building's carbon emissions

We have to be able to decarbonise the spaces that already exist – the buildings and our cities that are already occupied and will have a lifespan of decades more to come.

Catriona Brady, Director of Strategy and Development World Green Building Council.³

Incorporating Green Infrastructure (GI) in urban spaces

Incorporating GI such as green spaces into a city can also drastically lower its energy and resource costs and emissions – and act as carbon sinks to reduce the risks of climate change. 

Trees are known to have huge benefits to the environment. They:

• absorb carbon dioxide
• act as natural insulators and coolers
• can reduce urban heat through evapotranspiration and shading
• can significantly cool a building and reduce its air conditioning and cooling bills.

^* ARUP (video) 

^** World GBC (video)

³ Goodman Thought starters

⁴ JLL

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