Brownfield vs. greenfield developments Save article Remove saved article

Brownfields are abandoned, vacant, derelict, or under-utilized commercial, institutional, or industrial properties where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination and/or threats to public health and safety and where there is an active potential for redevelopment.¹ In contrast, greenfields are sites that have not previously been developed. Often, greenfields have a history of farming use.

Municipalities across Canada have been grappling with ways in which to redevelop brownfield sites and to demonstrate the