Urban redevelopment of contaminated sites: a review of scientific evidence and practical knowledge on environmental and health issues

Across the WHO European Region, the urban population is growing steadily and demand for land is rapidly increasing. Revitalizing and/or remediating industrial sites and contaminated land present an opportunity for sustainable urban development and reduce pressure on undisturbed land resources. Redevelopment of contaminated sites entails various challenges, however, and may cause continued environmental and health consequences if contamination risks are not properly managed or remediated. This report provides the results of an expert consultation on redeveloping contaminated sites for new urban functions, aiming to review the health and environmental impacts of conversion and redevelopment and to identify sound practices to support effective redevelopment while considering health and well-being. The consultation was structured as a discussion of the evidence on environmental and health impacts of remediation, a review of European redevelopment case studies and a reflection on the applicability of impact assessment tools during remediation and redevelopment processes. Summarizing the conclusions, this report identifies good practices and important elements that should be considered for remediation and redevelopment projects.

WHO European Healthy Cities Network Phase VII (2019–2024): support package for implementation: compendium of tools, resources and networks

In 2018, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network adopted the political vision of the Network until 2030 that is fully aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: the Copenhagen Consensus of Mayors: Healthier and Happier Cities for All. The vision is built around six themes. This compendium comprises tools, resources and networks that are related to one of the themes – place – from across the WHO European Healthy Cities Network from 2010 to 2019. It is part of the support package for implementation of the place theme in Phase VII (2019–2024) of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network.