Brownfields are abandoned, idle or underutilized industrial or commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination, building deterioration/obsolescence and/or inadequate infrastructure. Brownfields are further defined in the section:  Defining Brownfields.

Brownfields Redevelopment is the process of developing brownfield properties. Redevelopment of urban properties that pose significant barriers are becoming a key component of urban sustainable communities and municipal smart growth policies.

The Ontario Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Toolbox has been developed as a guide and resource for Ontario municipalities to assist them with urban renewal, redevelopment and revitalization. It has three main components: 

1. The 10 Key Elements of a Redevelopment Strategy
   A presentation of the brownfields in Ontario, a strategy to redevelop brownfields and an introduction to the components found in the Brownfields Toolbox. Municipalities should consider all elements when creating a vision for community improvement and brownfields redevelopment.
   
2. A Brownfields Decision Tree:
   The Decision Tree outlines the Five Steps to Redevelopment in the Brownfields Toolbox through a flow chart. The Decision Tree displays the stages and “thought process” that a municipality should follow for brownfields redevelopment.
   
3. The 5 Steps to Redevelopment:
   The basic steps and content of the Brownfields Toolbox. Municipalities can access each step that identifies common obstacles, issues, mandatory requirements, resources, tools and solutions to assist in successful redevelopment

• It allows Ontario municipalities to understand brownfields redevelopment
• It provides information to identify key municipal staff required to tackle brownfields
• A municipality can use the Toolbox as a guide to develop the tools, strategies and plans necessary to tackle their brownfields
• A municipality can begin to see brownfields as community improvement opportunities
• It is an important tool for sustainable community planning (tools to assess the need to develop and plan growth in a sustainable environment)
• It provides information and resources on experts in key industry sectors
• It showcases successful brownfield redevelopment projects

• The toolbox has been designed to address common questions and issues that are encountered by an Ontario municipality during the creation and implementation of a Brownfields Redevelopment Strategy
• The toolbox provides common scenarios, examples, resources, presentations and links to relevant information
• Toolbox Knowledge and Training Workshops are available through aboutREMEDIATION c/o OCETA

• How do I get started? Step 1
• How do you develop an inventory of potential brownfield sites? Inventory
• What are the benefits of brownfield redevelopment? Benefits
• What is involved in developing a Community Improvement Plan? CIP
• What is involved in developing a Marketing Plan? Marketing Plan
• What types of financial incentives are available to municipalities and developers? Incentives
• How can we showcase our successful projects? Showcase Success

• The Brownfields Toolbox has been designed to be an evolving feature and is only available on the aboutREMEDIATION website, www.aboutRemediation.com
• The Brownfields Toolbox will not be put into publication at this time

• The toolbox was written by OCETA and the Ontario Toolbox Development Partners
• The toolbox has been reviewed and edited by the Toolbox Partners
• Funding support for the creation of the toolbox and brownfield knowledge workshops was provided in part by the Ontario Toolbox Funding Organizations
• Link to Toolbox Partners

At this moment, funding support has only been received for the creation of an Ontario Brownfields Toolbox and Knowledge Workshops, with a focus on the municipal perspective. Additional funding support and development partners are required to expand the toolbox to other provinces and territories.

Provide your feedback and comments to: 

aboutREMEDIATION – Ontario’s Brownfields Toolbox
2070 Hadwen Road, Unit 201 A
Mississauga, Ontario, L5K 2C9
info@aboutRemediation.com