Building for a Sustainable Future Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Building for a Sustainable Future - Essay Example Strategic planning at the beginning of site investigation helps ensure that the process is technically sound, resourceful, and operating on proper time frame. There must be clear understanding of the specific regulations governing the investigation and remediation process, so that the entire operation is satisfactorily addressed (Improving Site Investigation). A structure which is economical and safe to construct is durable and has low maintenance costs. A large part of the decision to construct depends on the understanding of the nature of the ground. This understanding comes from an appreciation of the distribution of the materials in the ground and their properties. An adequate site investigation is therefore an essential part of the building project (A Client's Guide to Site Investigation). The selection of treatment technologies for a site often depends on the physical and chemical properties of the contaminants. For instance, volatile organic compounds are amenable to treatment by technologies such as soil vapor extraction or thermal desorption, because of their volatility. Conversely, metals which are not volatile and do not degrade are not usually amenable to treatment by those technologies (Treatment Technologies for Site Cleanup). Brownfield sites are real property, ... ly, metals which are not volatile and do not degrade are not usually amenable to treatment by those technologies (Treatment Technologies for Site Cleanup). Information to be included within a desk study Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. If there is the fear that the site had borne any type of hazardous elements in the near or distant past, then it becomes necessary to have the site duly examined to find if traces of these elements exist in the soil today. The examination can be carried out by directly engaging site investigators. However, it is also necessary to ensure that the local authorities are apprised of the investigation and see if their participation is required in the investigation. Normally, statutory regulations empower states, communities and other stakeholders to work together to accomplish redevelopment of brownfields sites. These regulations also help businesses and communities adapt environment cleanup programs to the special needs of brownfields sites. Preparing brownfields sites for productive reuse requires integration of many elements. These elements mainly consist of financial issues, community involvement, liability considerations, environmental assessment and cleanup, regulatory requirements, coordination among many groups of stakeholders, etc. The assessment and cleanup of a site must be carried out in a way that integrates all these factors into the overall redevelopment process. The cleanup strategy will vary from site to site. At some sites, cleanup will be completed before the properties are transferred to the new owners. At other sites, cleanup may take place simultaneously with