More from the 2017 NSCW.  If you missed it, enjoy the information.  If you were there, enjoy the refresh.

Like many programs focusing on environmental issues, brownfields are facing an uncertain future. Changes in Washington are signaling potential disruptions in the regulatory landscape and funding for programs that support redevelopment.  These evolving diverse regulatory and budgetary challenges continue at a fast pace, and tomorrow's issues are likely to be different than today’s.

When we look to the future of brownfields, transactional and planning-driven redevelopment will likely influence the amount of money going to projects. The allocation of the federal budget will continue to shift, and it is essential for brownfield redevelopment practitioners to track and integrate into their planning, the potential loss of federal and as well as state and local funding opportunities. 

The integration of sustainable infrastructure and resilient, adaptable design into brownfield projects is critical to preparing our communities to address the impact of extreme weather, flooding, or sea level rise. Support from the federal government for infrastructure, transportation, and other sectors will likely diminish, and local and state governments need to focus their efforts here to address on-the-ground realities. Even considering the unforeseeable outcomes resulting from federal changes, the strength of our communities will rely heavily on local action. Regardless of the constant evolution of programs or funding, brownfield redevelopment will continue to be a crucial component of resilient communities.

BCONE thanks Andrew Welch of CCLR for preparing this summary, and thanks Andrea Poinsett of GEI Consultants for editorial services.