Brownfields, Greenways and Smart Growth

For many communities, preserving rural open space is a common goal. The notion of “smart growth” provides a starting point for decisions on where to locate development within a community.

“Smart growth is directing public funds to already developed areas—areas that are already serviced by public infrastructure such as roads, sewers and water, and services such as schools and public transportation,” explains Victoria Pebbles, Senior Project Manager for Transportation and Sustainable Development at the Great Lakes Commission. “Smart growth aims to preserve and enhance existing communities before investing in new ones.”

Pebbles notes that smart growth is implemented at the local level but requires leadership at the state level—through laws, policies and guidance.

For urban areas, the challenge may be to create greenspace. One way to do this is by developing greenways, ecological corridors that provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

In Detroit, more than 15 waterfront greenways projects are completed or underway, creating a linked park system that includes boardwalks, trails, marinas and other waterfront amenities.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment that not only enhances economic opportunity but creates waterfront access for the people of Southeast Michigan,” says Michigan Sea Grant Extension Agent Mark Breederland, who serves as Chair of the Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative Steering Committee.

Some of the sites used to create the corridor are former industrial sites, or brownfields. In Michigan, guidelines for brownfield redevelopment took a major step forward in 2000 when regulations were broadened to include not only contaminated sites but also those considered to be blighted or functionally obsolete.

“Now it’s a quality of life issue,” says Lisa Szymecko of the Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use. “It’s not just contaminant remediation. Communities want to get back their waterfront, or fit a master plan. The expanded scope of the brownfield guidelines gives planners an opportunity that didn’t otherwise exist.”