Can industrial parks be more environmentally friendly?

Although industrial parks are often considered major economic engines for the communities in which they reside, they can also consume environmental resources and produce significant pollution that can negatively affect human health and quality of life. A case study published in Environmental Engineering Science (http://www.liebertpub.com/ees), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (http://www.liebertpub.com), describes a systems-based approach to assess and reduce the negative societal and economic impact of industrial parks. The article on sustainability management for industrial parks (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ees.2011.0109 ) is available on the Environmental Engineering Science website.

"The extent of sustainable economic development is critical to the quality of life that defines various communities," says Domenico Grasso, Ph.D, Editor-in-Chief and Vice President for Research, Dean of the Graduate College, University of Vermont (Burlington). "Industrial parks have long been a cornerstone of regional economic activity and prosperity. This paper by Ching-Ho Chen and colleagues does a wonderful job of helping policy and decision makers evaluate the environmental dimensions and consequences of these important developments."

A team of researchers from Taiwan studied the operation and management of a local industrial park. They measured air and water pollution, solid waste production, land use, and water and energy consumption and proposed a management model based on more sustainable practices. Ching-Ho Chen, National Taipei University of Education, Wei-Lin Liu, Ing-Jia Chiou, Nanya Institute of Technology, and Shu-Liang Liaw, National Central University, describe their work in the article, "Methodology and System of Total Quantity and Sustainability Management for Industrial Parks." (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ees.2011.0109)

Provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.