Transforming brownfields into sustainable neighbourhoods
In the current context of sustainable urban development, the intensification of existing built spaces has emerged as a credible way to counter urban sprawl and its negative effects. Brownfields, large and often well located in the heart of cities, hold potential for major development projects in this respect. These under-utilized spaces have recently become prime targets for the creation of sustainable or eco-neighborhoods. First developed in countries of Northern Europe, this kind of neighborhood has now spread to Europe and North America. However, despite the fact that they have been well received and grown in popularity as a result of their promise and their appeal to what might be called «virtuous» urbanism, some lines of criticism against them are now appearing in specialized literature. The present article will first use a review of the recent literature to define this urban movement, and then discuss the main criticisms formulated against it.