Urban renaissance: revolutionising construction by redeveloping brownfields

From design to inauguration, GSE is your construction partner

Bring your project to life

Our expertise

As a company committed to sustainable development, GSE firmly believes in converting contaminated or derelict sites into new spaces alive with people – as well as with wildlife.

Preserving our planet’s resources and biodiversity is an absolute priority for GSE. Through our initiatives, we seek to reconcile urban development with a thriving natural ecosystem – by suggesting innovative & sustainable solutions for today and for future generations.

Our environmental mission

Land scarcity: In view of our carbon footprint and of tightening legislation on soil sealing, we build a large proportion of our buildings on strategically situated brownfield sites. These plots, often in urban or suburban locations, offer a clear advantage for industrial or logistics activities. Thanks to the expertise acquired through more than 30% of our projects, we can select the ideal site to meet your needs.

 

To decontaminate soil, our experts apply rigorous methodologies and monitoring. Then we rehabilitate the sites so that they can be put back to good use – guaranteeing the safety of users, the renaturation of the land and the conservation of biodiversity.

 

Our eco-responsible approach to brownfield redevelopment contributes to the circular economy. Before starting a project, we carry out a survey to identify reusable materials and recyclable waste, quantify their volumes and determine their destination. We then put in place strategies to manage waste and recover alternative materials.

 

Carry oout your project in two stages

Our social mission

Promoting health for all: brownfield sites, commonly known as wasteland, are abandoned sites with varying degrees of contamination, potentially harmful to the environment and to local residents. Our commitment for all our projects is to rehabilitate brownfield sites while guaranteeing the health of future users and preserving biodiversity.

 

Supporting local development: by contributing to a regional dynamic that promotes industrial players and the attractiveness of various locations, we help create local jobs while reintegrating biodiversity into our projects. This approach enables companies to invest in sustainable solutions that revitalise both the economic and the natural ecosystems.

 

Our expertise: when managing your project, we apply a multi-stage process that factors in the local authorities’ economic, social and environmental objectives. We take charge of all the surveys, from the design phase through to the site’s development. With our team of in-house experts at Confluence, we advise, plan and develop the business parks of tomorrow.

 

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DEVELOP

Confluence develops and designs premium real estate projects that protect biodiversity and the well-being of residents.

DEVELOPER

Confluence carries out development projects to establish high-value activities that boost the regional economy.

ADVISOR

Confluence supports local authorities in the economic & spatial planning of their territories.

LIFTI

Thanks to the diversity of its experts, the Laboratoire d’Initiatives Foncières et Territoriales Innovantes (LIFTI, Laboratory of Innovative Land and Territorial Initiatives) identifies and responds to the land-related issues of today – particularly those linked to climate change, soil sealing, economic change and the redefinition of housing and workplaces.

 

By encouraging an open debate, LIFTI aims to build a comprehensive understanding of land as an integral part of society.

 

In the field of the circular economy of land and of open data, private companies like GSE support LIFTI financially and participate in its activities through two dedicated clubs, sharing experiences and advancing the conversation.

Frequently asked questions

Why invest in urban brownfield ?
Brownfield sites can be used for a variety of purposes – including industry, housing, urban agriculture, etc. Redeveloping brownfield saves us from sealing more natural soil.
How do you redevelop a brownfield site ?
There are various stages involved in converting brownfield sites into – for example – business parks. Land acquisition, due diligence, decontamination and development are some of the key stages in the smooth conversion of brownfields.
Why redevelop brownfield sites?
Rehabilitating contaminated sites and brownfields is a key element of responsible land planning: it reduces soil sealing and improves quality of life for local residents, as well as the environment and wildlife.
Where are France’s brownfield sites located?
All brownfield sites are listed by the government here: https://cartofriches.cerema.fr/cartofriches/. Brownfields can be found everywhere in France, with varying degrees of strategic attractiveness. The Hauts-de-France region of northern France alone has more than 28,000 brownfield sites.
What is the French government’s recovery plan?
The aim of the Fonds Friches (Brownfields Fund) is to unlock land recovery projects that are compatible with the government’s sustainable development goals. More here (in French): Fonds pour le recyclage des friches | economie.gouv.fr
What type of brownfield can be built on?
There are various types of brownfields: urban, commercial, military, port, railway, mining and industrial. It is possible to build on all types of brownfields for a development or business relocation project.
What is the #1 tip for the risk-free acquisition of brownfield land?
Occasionally a brownfield site turns out to be home to a protected animal or plant species – which has a major impact on the time taken to rehabilitate it. Before acquiring a plot of land, it is strongly recommended that you enlist the help of experts who are familiar with the legal and regulatory framework and who can qualify a site.

You have a brownfield redevelopment project?

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