A conceptual framework for ex ante valuation of ecosystem services of brownfield greening from a systematic perspective

Abstract

Introduction: Although Brownfield greening (BG) can be a crucial solution to green space deficiency in dense urban areas, the potential benefits of different BG initiatives have rarely been quantitatively pre-evaluated. Here, the concept and main features of BG and its costs and benefits are firstly depicted. Next, a conceptual framework is presented which combines ecosystem service (ESS) valuation, economic cost-benefit analysis, and spatial pattern analysis. The framework is used to perform ex ante valuation of the ESS value of BG in Xuhui District, Shanghai. Outcomes: The scenario comparison results show that it can spatially reflect a closer-to-reality value of ESS at the urban scale instead of a theoretical value at the site scale. The ultimate values of ESS (After economic and landscape adjustments) in the composite scenario is more than 21% higher than those in the full-eco scenario, whereas the initial values of ESS (before the adjustments) in the former was 14% lower than those in the latter. These results suggest that a considerable part of brownfield greening projects need to be implemented in the more populated and economically vibrant areas instead of solely in the ecological construction zone, thereby correspondingly providing more cultural and regulation services and forming a better urban green space network. Conclusion:The framework provides a simple, science-based, and feasible tool for making BG decisions from a systematic perspective in dense urban areas. It can help meet the need for applying ESS knowledge to BG-based green space planning and policy making in the context of urban sustainable development.

Spatial Identification and Redevelopment Evaluation of Brownfields in the Perspective of Urban Complex Ecosystems: A Case of Wuhu City, China

“…For example, Schädler et al describe the development of an integrated assessment model that evaluates redevelopment options for large contaminated brownfield sites in Germany. Their proposed model integrates site remediation and preparation costs, economic assessment of the market and future land use expectations, with the choice of indicators mainly highlighting the economic significance of brownfield redevelopment [ 51 ]; Qi et al conduct an ex ante assessment of the ecosystem services of brownfield greening in Shanghai, focusing on the ecological functions performed by the subsystem [ 18 ], and Lin et al’s valuation of the ecosystem services of brownfield redevelopment in Changsha [ 52 ] did not consider the impact of including the choices of relevant stakeholders and the economic benefits generated by the reused land on redevelopment.…”

“…According to Wuhu City Urban Planning Management Technical Regulations [ 70 ], the relevant specifications and design conventions, the greening rate is set at 40% for the residential type of development direction, for the commercial type, 35% for the public facilities type, for the greenfield type, and the for urban industry type, and the ratio of water to land area in the greening rate is . The ratio of woodland to shrubs to grass is for the residential type, for the commercial, public facilities, and the urban industry type, and for the greenfield type [ 18 ].…”

“…Kolosz et al in 2018 incorporated brownfield assessment into a socio-ecological model and proposed a redevelopment workflow integrating ecosystem services [ 17 ]. Zhong et al proposed an ecosystem services-based assessment framework for greening of brownfields [ 18 ]. These studies have considered brownfields and their reuse in the context of social–ecological systems, but they currently do not have an in-depth exploration of the integrated redevelopment of brownfields within cities, and lack comprehensive field surveys of brownfields, and the sources of information or assessment methods are mostly indirect.…”

Exploring Research Trends and Building a Multidisciplinary Framework Related to Brownfield: A Visual Analysis Using CiteSpace

“…In Cluster #7 "Site remediation," Ahmad et al [63] aimed to identify significant strategies to promote brownfield redevelopment in developing countries focusing on the case of Pakistan. Zhong et al [64] introduced the concept and main features of brownfield greening, firstly depicting its costs and benefits. Zhang et al [65] extended the standard theory of the planned behavior model by including trust and risk perception to determine which factors influence real estate projects developed on industrial brownfields purchase intention, providing a basis for policy formulation and redevelopment strategies.…”

Greening the Brownfields of Thermal Power Plants in Rural Areas, an Example from Romania, Set in the Context of Developments in the Industrialized Country of Germany

“…In Song et al [20], a method to quantify the benefits of brownfield greening was proposed. The broader problem of nature-based solutions applied for greening urban brownfields is approached in Zhong et al [21], while in Hou et al [22], coal mining and the green infrastructure networks today are explored.…”