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Life Cycle Approaches for Brownfields Redevelopment
Journal article

Life Cycle Approaches for Brownfields Redevelopment

Patricia Gallagher and Sabrina Spatari
GeoRisk 2011: Geotechnical Risk Assessment and Management. Vol. 224, (224), pp 736-743
01 May 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/41183(418)76

Abstract

Cost analysis Cost engineering Economies of scale Life cycle assessment Life cycle engineering Pollution abatement Redevelopment Remediation
Life cycle assessment (LCA) has emerged as a comprehensive analytical method to evaluate products, processes and activities and is increasingly being used within engineering decision making. The LCA framework offers a unique analytical perspective for integrating global as well as regional and local-scale sustainability goals into engineering decisions. The purpose of this paper is to compare life cycle cost and select life cycle environmental impact criteria for different soil remediation technologies through solidification or stabilization for comparably-sized projects. The main hypothesis posed here is that economies of scale effects influence cost and environmental decision metrics for contaminated soils and sites; and moreover that economies of scale identified for Superfund remediation activities can be applied to brownfields sites. LCA methods are used in conjunction with case histories to investigate these hypotheses. Data from the Annual Status Report (ASR) Remediation Database for Superfund sites were mined to produce cost curves related to solidification/ stabilization techniques used for remedial action on past projects. These data were analyzed to estimate returns to scale for different remediation techniques. Data analysis shows a decrease in unit cost as the scale of the project increases. The methods used for Superfund projects will subsequently be applied to brownfields remediation projects. Given that the majority of brownfields remediation rests with the private sector, comprehensive cost data from specific brownfields projects is not readily available for analysis. A major impediment to many brownfields redevelopment projects is cost of remediation. Determining economies of scale for different remedial alternatives may provide insight into the most cost effective approach for brownfields redevelopment projects of different sizes. Different remediation approaches can often be used to meet the multiple challenges and objectives of brownfields redevelopment. The results of this study will provide a basis for decision makers to determine the most economical remedial alternatives based on the scale of the project and remedial technology.

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