The use of GIS in the Management of Contaminated (Brownfield) Land

School of Geography, University of Leeds

Student

Sandra Alker

Supervisor

Prof. Adrian T. McDonald

Dates

1st September 1998 - 31st August 2004

Grants

Urban Mines

Summary

This research aims to investigate issues including the availability of information, types of brownfield, location patterns and factors affecting the remediation and development of brownfield land. In order to achieve this aim, various data will be collated on a GIS based system, and this will require the development of a GIS system for land use classification and management.

The research has already defined brownfield – "A brownfield site is any land or premises which has previously been used or developed and is not currently fully in use, although it may be partially occupied or utilised. It may also be vacant, derelict or contaminated. Therefore a brownfield site is not necessarily available for immediate use without intervention". (Alker et.al., 2000).

The research will also:

  1. Investigate the current practice and availability of information in relation to brownfield sites.
  2. Develop and test a typology for the classification of brownfield sites
  3. Consider the location and spatial distribution of brownfield sites as categorised in the typology.
  4. Define and evaluate the factors that influence the development potential of brownfield sites.
  5. Incorporate these factors into a ‘decision aid’ tool.
The typology for classification of brownfield is being developed as a tool from a multi-user perspective, i.e. all ‘stakeholders’ in brownfield will be able to apply the tool, as opposed to it being devised for use in specialist in one area e.g. environmental consultants. It is considered that the typology may form a framework for future developments e.g. as a decision aid system for environmental assessment in land use planning.

Whilst GIS systems are used as a basis for land use analysis, there are many issues regarding source, scale and compatibility of data which will need to be addressed within the research. For example, the work will combine both national, regional and local scale data, as well as planning and environmental based data.

The multidisciplinary approach to the research is unique and draws on the authors own existing expertise in environmental and technical factors, whilst developing considerations from economic, planning, legal, social and geographical perspectives.

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