Below is some information about the University of Louisville Brownfields/Smart Growth Research Group as well as a link to their web site.

The Research Group has helped private sector parties analyze investment decisions and risk-based decision-making. They have also assisted in the design of public policies for local and regional governments and state EDC and environmental agencies.

Follow-up: The Research Group has an extensive list of research papers on their web site that interested parties might want to review.

http://cepm.louisville.edu/org/BSGRG/bsgrg.htm

University of Louisville - Center for Policy and Environmental Management

Brownfields/Smart Growth Research Group

BSGRG Networks | BSGRG Publications/Papers

The Brownfields/Smart Growth Research Group members have been involved in analysis of factors shaping the location of new development and real estate investment in areas with contaminated land and water problems since 1993. Brownfields have been identified across the United States, but pose exceptional problems for older cities and economically depressed areas that have difficulty attracting private investment. Smarter growth has arisen as a political issue in locations as diverse as major metropolitan centers concerned with central city revitalization and rural areas trying to preserve unique landscape or other assets while accommodating the expansion of local population and/or economic activity. CEPM staff and associated researchers have specialized in the economics and finance of brownfields response, working with private decision—makers, local and state public officials and federal agencies.

The Research Group has analyzed and supported brownfield investment decisions and risk—based decision—making of private sector parties such as:

• Bankers and other financiers, including venture capitalists and pension funds
• Appraisers
• Real estate development professionals
• Community development institutions

We have analyzed and assisted in the design of public policies supporting brownfield regeneration for:

• Local governments
• Local and regional non—profit development agencies
• State economic development departments
• State environmental agencies

Linking the two sectors, and providing exceptional support for smarter decisions on the possible reuse of previously developed sites is the growing new arena of privately provided real estate investment risk management tools. The Center and its brownfields/smart growth team have a national reputation in environmental insurance and its use in redevelopment, including:

• Cost cap coverage and management of cleanup cost uncertainties
• Selection of appropriate pollution liability coverage for prospective risks
• Roles for portfolio and pool coverages in promoting reuse of small brownfields
• Public sector insurance purchasing and management problems and prospects
• Current smart growth analytical efforts include examination of:
• Types of “sprawl” and which public policies address which expansion pressures
• Perceived “quality of life” factors and how they shape real estate market demands
• Public and private returns from planning for regeneration of areas, not specific sites
• Issues in the use of old brownfields for provision of new low income housing

Members of the Brownfields/Smart Growth Team include:

Peter B. Meyer, PhD, Professor of Urban Policy and Economics, Center Director

Sarah Coffin, MUP, PhD (Planning), a brownfields and economic development specialist

Kristen R. Yount, PhD, Assoc. Professor of Sociology and Director of Sustainable Futures Program, Northern Kentucky University, and environmental insurance and brownfields specialist

Diane Gossett, Administrative Support for the Center for Environmental Policy and Management

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 8:37 pm and is filed under ●Brownfields Academia.

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