Brownfields to Healthfields: A Retrospective Ripple Effect Mapping Evaluation in Three Rural Communities

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Community Development
• Public Health Evaluation

Background:

• Environmental factors significantly influence health behaviors and outcomes.
• Traditional evaluation methods struggle to capture the full impact of brownfield redevelopment in rural settings.
• Health-promoting land use changes in rural areas offer potential community benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impacts of redeveloping rural brownfield sites into health-promoting land uses.
• To assess community-level benefits using participatory methods in Appalachian Region 3.
• To understand how brownfield redevelopment affects various community capitals.

Main Methods:

• A participatory evaluation using facilitated workshop-based Ripple Effects Mapping.
• Involved 32 adult community members from three rural brownfield redevelopment sites.
• Data analysis included digital mind map construction, coding to the Community Capitals Framework, and member checking.

Main Results:

• Key impacts identified were site improvements, increased social and physical activity, and enhanced community identity.
• The most frequently discussed community capitals were social and built.
• Natural and political community capitals were least discussed during the evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Rural brownfield redevelopment, particularly for physical activity, engages multiple community capitals.
• This process contributes to the overall strengthening of rural communities.
• Participatory evaluation methods like Ripple Effects Mapping are valuable for assessing brownfield redevelopment impacts.