A streamlined risk screening method for managing reutilization of abandoned factories in Taiwan
Journal
Sustainable Environment Research
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
3
Pages
125-134
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
An integrated management strategy that considers the competing relationships between land values and associated risks in the process of land-use conversion is needed to assess and manage the reutilization of brownfields. However, the often large number of individual brownfields renders it difficult to conduct a completed risk assessment for all sites, and a streamlined risk screening method would facilitate prioritization of the redevelopment of those factories. This methodology takes into account the spatial heterogeneity of contaminated lands and produces risk mapping that compiles complex risk-related information. Using abandoned factories in Taiwan as a case study, the method considers 40 points (50% accumulated probability) as the threshold of acceptable risk. Emergency risk should be over 90% of accumulated probability. For the sustainability of brownfield reutilization in Taiwan, this research uses a risk matrix to identify the low, middle, and high risk for brownfield reutilization. It can indicate zones with a high risk level or low economic incentive as areas of concern for future decision making. In Taiwan, high-risk sites with high incentive account for only 21.3% of the sites. In contrast, the sites with the lowest incentive and low risk account for 57.6% of the sites. To avoid failure in the brownfield market, three strategies are suggested: (1) flexible land management with urban planning is a feasible option for protecting the receptor's health; (2) the government could provide the tool or brownfield funds to reduce the uncertainty of investment risk; and (3) risk monitoring and management can reduce the possible pitfalls associated with brownfield reutilization. © 2017 Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering, Taiwan
Subjects
Economic incentive; Risk matrix; Screening maps; Spatial heterogeneity
Other Subjects
Decision making; Economics; Health risks; Investments; Land use; Risk assessment; Areas of concerns; Contaminated lands; Economic incentive; Integrated management; Investment risks; Land managements; Risk matrix; Spatial heterogeneity; Risk management
Type
journal article