This page provides links to the Research, Publications, and Tools and Resources produced by the Forestry Commission’s Centre of Excellence for brownfield regeneration to woodland and open green space.
Research topics
Restoration guidance for landfill sites: Supporting growth of trees and other vegetation on restored landfill sites
Brownfield site investigation procedures for greenspace development: Evaluating bioindicators and assessment techniques for greenspace development on brownfield sites
Sustainable restoration of brownfield sites: Seeking to create and improve best practice on achieving sustainable restoration. Investigating ways to minimise and remedy compaction, improve landfill restoration practice, and improve species selection.
Waste minimisation and utilisation in greenspace creation: Dealing with significant volumes of organic and inorganic wastes
Funders and partners of land regeneration and urban greening research: Land regeneration and urban greening research programmes are being supported by
Influence of vegetation on pollutant pathways: Reducing erosion by wind and water, trapping and absorbing airborne pollutant particles, and retaining sediment material
Contamination and integrated remediation of brownfield land: Investigate opportunities to improve the sustainability of urban greenspace establishment on derelict and brownfield land
Environmental benefits and impacts of greenspace development: Identify and assess the benefits and impacts of greenspace establishment in the urban environment
Integrated urban remediation and greening: Achieving sustainable remediation of brownfield sites
Metal and contaminants removal: Using trees to restore heavy metal values to within acceptable limits, removal of metals by short rotation coppice, and using trees for organic contaminant remediation.
Tree tolerance to heavy metals: Trees can survive contaminant levels far greater than those laid down in current guidelines. This research determines optimum species choice for planting in metal contaminated soils.
Development of decision tools and best practice guidance: Advice on effective regeneration at the national through to site-specific levels, based on social, economic and environmental factors
Publications
Forest Research (2015). Best practice guidance for land regeneration. Forest Research BPG notes series.
Atkinson, G. and Doick, K. (2014) Planning for brownfield land regeneration to woodland and wider green infrastructure. Forestry Commission Practice Note FCPN022.
Forest Research (2010). Benefits of green infrastructure. Technical Report by Forest Research.
Forest Research (2010). Benefits of green infrastructure. Summary Report by Forest Research.
Foot, K. and Moffat, A. (2008). Woodland establishment on landfill sites: Ten years of research. Report to DEFRA by Forest Research.
Hutchings, T., Sinnett, D., Doick, K., Pediaditi, K., and Moffat, A. (2009). Integrated remediation, reclamation and greenspace creation on brownfield land. SUBR:IM Bulletin 11.
Doick, K. J. (2008). Methuselah. A monitoring and evaluation strategy for greenspace. Report by Forest Research.
Doick, K. and Hutchings, T. (2007). Greenspace establishment on brownfield land. Forestry Commission Information Note FCIN091 [Archive publication]
Hutchings, T. (2002). The Opportunities for Woodland on Contamination Land. Forestry Commission Information Note FCIN44 [Archive publication]
Tools and Resources
Urban Regeneration and Greenspace Partnership
Urban Tree Manual
Selecting tree species for landfill restoration
