The Uk Property Development Industry And Sustainable Urban Brownfield Regeneration: An Analysis Of Case Studies In Thames Gateway And Greater Manchester

The UK property development industry is a key player in regeneration projects, which conventionally have been focused around area-based initiatives. Emerging policy has attempted to interlink a ësustainable developmentí agenda with a ësustainable brownfieldí agenda. These twin policy agendas, based on further normative policy aspirations, have found an additional focus through the UK governmentís ëSustainable Communities Planí, predicated on the drive to provide additional housing (underpinned by the Barker Review), and engender market renewal in key areas in England. This paper examines the emergence of these agendas and related policies, and analyses the role of the property development industry in the regeneration of six key brownfield sites, based in Thames Gateway and Greater Manchester. The paper investigates the perceived ësustainabilityí of these projects, in terms of key aspects of the ëtriple bottom lineí approach and the development of a related conceptual model, and highlights key lessons emerging from the experience of developers, and their engagement and dialogue with other stakeholders in the brownfield regeneration process on these case study sites. The research adopts an inductive approach, based on more than 50 structured interviews with a variety of stakeholders, including developers, planners, consultants, and community representatives. A key message emerging from the research is that although the property development industry is coming to terms with brownfield risks, including contamination, major policy barriers are hampering effective regeneration. Furthermore, resolving other issues, relating to density and infrastructure, are key to successful brownfield regeneration. Finally, a developerís checklist is formulated as a result of the research, to highlight perceived emerging ëbest practiceí, and related policy implications, in sustainable brownfield regeneration. The research is based on the latest findings from an EPSRC-funded research project based at Oxford Brookes, and which is part of the SUBR:IM programme of research.