Nature-centric remediation breathes new life to former military facility.
Innovative remediation design reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent compared to conventional treatment technologies.
Within Hanau, an emerging commercial center in Germany where living space is in high demand, lies a 50-hectare swathe of land that had become uninhabitable for 10 years after serving as the military facility Pioneer Barracks. In 2018, the city of Hanau joined forces with local investors to plan for the largest residential construction initiative in the region. A combined public-private investment of more than US $580 million (£500 million) aimed to transform the abandoned barracks into a modern, sustainable mixed-use neighborhood that could house 5,000 residents.
Rising energy and raw material costs, the looming threat of climate change, and an increasing focus on social responsibility compelled brownfield investors to take greater account of sustainability in their redevelopment efforts. A diverse set of four project stakeholders came together under a tight timeline to redevelop and implement remediation measures.
Remnants of an industrial past
Redeveloping this land meant tackling contamination left behind by past onsite activities. The main pollutants in the soil and groundwater were chlorinated volatile organic compounds (cVOCs), primarily tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene, solvents used in dry cleaning operations. The ambitious remediation goal was to achieve average cVOC concentrations below 20 micrograms per liter.
Collaborating with a commercial innovative technology partner, we developed an in situ solution that used a proprietary remediation reagent: a highly engineered technology formulated from recycled ingredients that trigger physical, chemical and microbiological processes to permanently destroy contaminants in the subsurface. The team closely collaborated to design, engineer and implement an elegant product and service set resulting in the rapid, permanent destruction of all cVOCs onsite.
Circular remediation approach incorporated manufacturing waste
Following an exhaustive audit of available in situ technologies and application methods, the environmental consultants chose a resilient remediation design, emplacing treatment solids in long-term “remedial reservoirs” that released slowly, providing years of treatment effectiveness. We used the SiteWise™ software to quantify sustainability metrics and settled upon conducting a survey of materials and energy consumption associated with an in situ approach. The chosen remedy reduced overall energy consumption and the resultant carbon footprint by up to 90 percent less than two conventional technologies assessed (pump and treat or dig and haul).
Innovative sustainable neighborhood development
Now called Pioneer Park, the neighborhood development project is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly urban quarter that will house approximately 5,000 new residents. Sustainable transportation is integrated into the neighborhood through extensive electromobility infrastructure, with numerous charging stations and shared electric cars and bikes, easy access to public transportation, and walking paths.
The community power, heat, broadband internet, smart home, and mobility solutions are provided by a single sustainable supply source, which utilizes renewable energy.
The development includes green infrastructure and natural spaces, such as living rooftops, biotopes and flowers, and nature-focused amenities, such as the “green day-care center,” which fosters environmental awareness from a young age. Pioneer Park exemplifies how innovative housing solutions, combined with eco-friendly practices, can set a benchmark for sustainable urban living.