Neighborhood brownfield redevelopment: A health impact assessment in Indianapolis

This health impact assessment (HIA) evaluates the potential impacts that a neighborhood brownfield redevelopment may have on surrounding residents’ quality of life. Due to the previous industrial use of this land, an environmental site assessment will determine allowable land usage. Redevelopment possibilities will be dependent upon these results. By examining prospective health outcomes pertaining to potential redevelopment, we have suggested land restoration uses and explained relevant health improvements. This HIA utilized key informant interviews to assess the current health status and health-related concerns of the community residents, as well as ideas for neighborhood improvement.  Our team has coupled these results with a secondary data analysis and a review of literature to provide options that address both the needs and desires of community residents and neighboring organizations.  These options include a community center, commercial and residential mixed-use space, and a living lab associated with the nearby university. The recommendations have been shared with the community and local neighborhood organizations, as well as the Brownfield Redevelopment Program of Indianapolis.