Brownfield development: Are we using the right targets? Evidence from England and Germany

Abstract

Urban brownfield sites are a major planning concern across Europe, and most European countries have strategies to reuse them. In England and Germany, quantified targets for brownfield development have been set at the national level, with the twin objectives of furthering urban regeneration and reducing greenfield development. This paper explores the implications of these quantified targets, particularly with respect to their ability to contribute to meeting these twin objectives. It explores their shortcomings and highlights implementation problems