Greenfields, Greyfields, and Brownfields

When a community is undergoing development, it has several options for where new or expanded development can occur: greenfields, greyfields, or brownfields.

Greenfields are the greenspaces or previously undeveloped land in a community, usually in suburban or exurban areas. They might include farmland. Greyfields, unlike greenfields, result from previous development projects. These retail properties now lie vacant or nearly so. Greyfields, occurring in various locations within a community, once were malls, big-box stores, or some other retail establishment. Large areas of grey concrete parking lots often surround greyfields, giving them their name.

Brownfields are previously developed properties that have either known or suspected environmental contamination. These properties are often formerly thriving industrial or commercial sites that are now vacant or underutilized. They are generally concentrated in older, less vibrant parts of a community. Some definitions of brownfields will include residential developments tainted by asbestos or lead-based paint. Variations in definitions of which properties qualify as brownfields result from attempts to indicate the possibility of some type of environmental contamination being present.

When it comes to balancing economic development with environmental concerns, decision makers should first focus on their greyfields and brownfields. Focusing on these sites first help preserve the community’s greenspaces while correcting the problems associated with the brownfield and greyfield properties. They can structure incentives and programs in ways that encourage private developers to consider these sites before looking to regional greenfields.

(http://bookstore.icma.org/FreeDocs/E-43637%20Excerpt.pdf. Adaptado)