Are there spaces in your community that could be filling an unmet need?
Brownfields are sites that are, or thought to be, contaminated by hazards or pollutants. They tend to be empty lots which may have been used in the past for industrial, commercial or residential purposes.
Neighborhood projects to clean up and reuse brownfields are an opportunity to improve health and well-being. They can bring the community together for positive change. They can lead to more equitable, healthy and vibrant communities.
Find Brownfields
Portland Metro PlaceHealth Connection Atlas
Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties worked together to create this brownfield locator tool. It uses community stories and health indicator data to show local experiences.
You can use this data to:
- Identify brownfield sites and plan for redevelopment/re-use
- Support grant applications, analyses and reports
- Identify areas for potential health promotion programs
- Support land-back and community land trust projects
- Improve our understanding of the connections between health and place
The PlaceHealth Connection Atlas was initiated by Metro, and funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Brownfields Are an Environmental Justice Issue
Research has shown that where we live is tied to our health and well-being.
Brownfield sites contain potential hazards that can harm health. They are often located in areas that have factors that lead to poorer health. For example, lower property values, more pollution, more crime and limited greenspace.
Projects to clean up brownfields can help address these environmental injustices. They can give the community voice to shape what their space could look like in the future.
Current County Brownfield Projects
Vance Vision Plan – A project to transform a former quarry and landfill in west Gresham’s Rockwood/Centennial neighborhoods