Low-carbon materials in brownfield redevelopment: opportunities, challenges, and implementation pathways

This chapter explores the integration of low-carbon materials into brownfield redevelopment as a pathway to more sustainable urban regeneration. It outlines the key drivers for reusing previously developed land and highlights the role of material innovation in reducing the environmental impact of construction. The chapter identifies six core strategies for incorporating low-carbon materials, including alignment with circular economy principles, adaptive reuse, modular construction, life-cycle carbon assessment, prefabrication, and on-site recycling. These are complemented by an in-depth analysis of the risks and challenges unique to brownfield contexts, such as material compatibility with contamination, uncertainty in performance, regulatory barriers, cost perceptions, supply chain limitations, and stakeholder resistance. For each challenge, the chapter offers detailed mitigation approaches that draw on interdisciplinary insights from material science, planning policy, and construction practice. By synthesising technical, regulatory, and social dimensions, the chapter aims to support practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in advancing low-carbon solutions that are viable, resilient, and context-sensitive.