Which statement best describes the environmental sustainability of brownfield development compared with undeveloped land?

• A. It always destroys more habitats
• B. It has less potential for regeneration
• C. It is arguably a more sustainable way to develop than building on undeveloped land
• D. It cannot be serviced with utilities

Answer: (C)

Redeveloping brownfield sites tends to be more environmentally sustainable than building on undeveloped land because it makes use of land that has already been disturbed, rather than consuming new greenfield habitats. This approach helps preserve biodiversity elsewhere by avoiding further habitat loss and fragmentation. It also leverages existing infrastructure—roads, utilities, and services—reducing the need for new, resource-intensive network development. Additionally, concentrating development in urban areas supports more efficient energy use and transportation, helping to limit urban sprawl. While brownfield sites may require cleanup, the overall environmental footprint is usually lower than expanding into undeveloped land, making it arguably a more sustainable development path.