Get Curious: Land Reuse For Beginners

New to Brownfields? Welcome!

Brownfield revitalization and land reuse projects broadly are incredibly impactful opportunities to transform unused and contaminated properties into community spaces that benefit your neighborhood.

From parks to urban farms to affordable housing, land reuse projects open opportunities for innovative and creative solutions that tackle critical issues like food security, disaster resilience, green space development, recreation opportunities, cleaner air and water, and so much more.

But, we also know that figuring out how to get started can be hard. This resource hub brings together our best resources for brownfield and land use beginners to help you learn the basics. Let’s get started together!

let’s get started: Brownfields for beginners

Across the country, communities are reclaiming brownfields by transforming them into parks, grocery stores, and outdoor classrooms—spaces that create jobs, improve safety, and breathe new life into neighborhoods. Check out the video to get inspired by three incredible brownfield transformations!

brownfields & Land reuse webinars

Our Brownfield Curious Series provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to get started on a land reuse project specifically for those who are completely new to the process. We break down key lingo, outline the important steps in the process, and share resources to help you get started.

In Brownfield Curious: Unearthing Potential in Brownfields, you will begin by learning what brownfields are, how they can benefit your community, and how these transformations can make the local communities healthier, greener, and more resilient. From parks to urban farms to affordable housing, you will discover innovative and creative land reuse solutions that tackle critical mission-driven issues like food security, flooding and heat adaptation, green space development, and more.

In Brownfield Curious Episode 2: Understanding the Brownfields Reuse Process and Timeline, you will go through a high-level overview of the land transformation process. Topics include site visioning, establishing a team, conducting community engagement, communicating site risk, and financing your project.

next steps in your journey

Congratulations on taking the first steps to kickstart your land reuse journey! From here, feel free to roam our website! We have several detailed guides, webinars, workshops, and individual assistance to help you continue to design and implement your community-centered land reuse project.

Visit Nonprofit Brownfields Assistance Program Page

Through our Nonprofit Brownfields Assistance Program, we work with nonprofits of all sizes to help integrate land reuse strategies into their mission-centered work and advance brownfield and land reuse projects that transform underutilized spaces into parks, trails, urban farms, and other community assets. Check out our page for our upcoming events, cohorts, and resources.

Community Resilience Resource Hub

We also recommend exploring our Community Resilience Resource Hub as your next step. Once there, you can filter our resources by categories, including Getting Started. Check it out below!