A brownfield site is property contaminated by hazardous waste or pollution. Governments often prohibit the development or use of such real estate; in this United States, this is accomplished by health codes and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Again in the U.S., the EPA, together with local and national government, often provides funds for the clean up of designated sites
Generally, designated brownfield sites exist in a town's industrial section, in abandoned factories or other previously high-polluting buildings. For example, many dry cleaning establishments produced high levels of ground contaminants in previous years.
The redevelopment of brownfields is an important part of New urbanism.
See also: greenfield
