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Fast-growing hybrid poplars have been tested for their potential to remove trace elements (TE) from polluted soil in several temperate regions. Despite their potential, they have rarely been tested in countries with a cold temperate climate. The current study screened four different Populus hybrids for phytoextraction of four TEs (i.e., As, Cu, Pb, and Zn) on an abandoned brownfield site in southern Quebec (Canada). The main results showed that under the current experimental conditions, the most important traits determining the actual phytoextraction rate are Biological Concentration Factor (BCF) and TE accumulation in the aboveground biomass, rather than biomass productivity. Although the overall performance of the chosen hybrids was rather poor, the presence of poplar stands enhanced the movement of mobile contaminants in soil, which led to an increase in their concentration in the root zone. This aspect suggests possible strategies for using these plants with high transpiration rates in future phytoremediation projects, including either possible rotation with more effective TE phytoextractor plants (e.g., hyperaccumulators) that can remove high TE amounts that have migrated from the deeper soil layers following poplar plantation, or phytostabilization. Although the use of fast-growing woody species is commonly reported as a feasible option for the phytoextraction of TEs in temperate climates, most available information pertains to only a few species, mostly willows. This is one of the few studies reporting the results of a field test carried out in a cold temperate region, in which different poplar hybrid clones were tested for their potential in TEs phytoextraction. This research determined that although the studied poplar genotypes have no potential under these experimental conditions, the increase in TE concentration observed in the rhizosphere after two years suggests possible alternative phytoremediation strategies (phytostabilization) for managing polluted sites in cold temperate climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an analysis of various aspects regarding the situation of brownfields in the territorial system of Ottawa -- Gatineau, in Canada, which developed considerably from an economic point of view over the last 60 years. The brownfields located in the National Capital Region share a historical / patrimonial significance, but also contain a possible economic value that cannot be neglected. Thus, balance between the economic imperatives of the 21st Century and the heritage elements of these sites must be found in order to achieve the requirements of a sustainable development of the city. Nine brownfields have been identified and analysed, most of them being reintroduced in the economic flow, which led to a considerable amount of positive outputs to the community, eventually contributing to the reduction of urban expansion and to the improvement of the quality of life within this ever-growing urban environment. Reusing these sites for various purposes aims at achieving social, cultural and economic goals set by the administration of the city since the introduction of the Gréber Plan in the 1950's. Brownfield rehabilitation can thus be considered as possible antidote to the erosion of the urban fabric, but not without some ever increasing challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses how to generate tax benefits from contaminated lands in Canada. Different causes of land contamination; Overview of Canada's property tax regime; Tax savings for contaminated properties; Impediments to redeveloping bronwfield properties; Initiatives by the federal and provincial governments to encourage brownfield redevelopment.

Although the development of greenfield sites in suburban peripheries is still the predominant trend in Canada, in the decade of the 1990s a growing inclination to redevelop under-utilized urban brownfield sites emerged. This study describes brownfield redevelopment patterns in the former “City of Toronto” during the 1990s and examines the key factors shaping them. The relevant data for the study were compiled from a City of Toronto land-use database, the appurtenant policy and planning studies, interviews with stakeholders, and case studies. Toronto''s redevelopment experience has obvious implications for cities of similar socio-cultural and socio-economic character undergoing redevelopment planning and can thus be viewed as a “case-in-point” in brownfield redevelopment planning and policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Compares the public costs and benefits between brownfied and greenfield development in Toronto, Ontario. Risks associated with brownfield remediation and redevelopment; Opportunities for urban revitalization resulting from redevelopment of brownfield sites; Increase in demand for industrial real estate.

Examines the types of contaminated site-related policies and programs that are being taken in Canada and compares them to those being taken in the United States and Europe. Comparison of known or suspected contaminated sites among several industrialized nations; Sustainable development benefits pertaining to brownfield sites; Obstacles which hamper the clean up and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

This paper examines the nature of the economic costs and risks involved in brownfield versus greenfield redevelopment in the Greater Toronto Area (Ontario, Canada) from a private sector perspective, and assesses the potential effectiveness of different policies and programmes designed to attenuate associated costs and risks. Through interviews, case-studies and an analysis of hypothetical development scenarios, it has been found that the perception that brownfield redevelopment is less cost-effective and entails greater risks than greenfield development, on the part of the private sector, is true for industrial projects in the province, but not for residential ones, which were found to be feasible, given the assumptions of the present study. Furthermore, the study has found that the attractiveness of residential brownfield projects can increase considerably with minor policy changes, but that promoting industrial redevelopment will require a more vigorous approach that employs a variety of environmental policy and economic development measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownfields have attracted increasing attentions from both researchers and practitioners. However, few studies have attempted to make a comprehensive and quantitative review on this topic. This study conducted a scientometric review on the brownfield research from 1995 to 2017 using CiteSpace. The knowledge structure, hot topics, research trends, and gaps were analyzed based on the co-author, co-word, co-citation, and clusters analysis. Six hundred thirty articles from the Web of Science core collection database were selected as the research samples. Results revealed that the research focus has changed from soil remediation technologies to sustainable regeneration methods. The most vital development in brownfield research occurred in the USA, England, Canada, Germany, and China. "Brownfield," "heavy metal," "remediation," "redevelopment," and "sustainability" were the most frequently used keywords. Whereas "management" and "biodiversity" received citation bursts in recent years. Existing researches mainly concentrated on subject categories of environmental sciences ecology, environmental sciences, engineering, environmental studies, engineering environmental, and urban studies. Sustainable regeneration, urban brownfields' regeneration, mental distribution, coal-mine brownfield, and ecosystem service were the identified co-citation clusters and represented the hot topics and emerging trends. The research gaps can serve as a motivation to research on the next generation of brownfields to support the sustainable development. This study provides researchers and practitioners an extensive and intensive understanding of the salient research themes and trends of brownfields' research worldwide.