Energy and Power
Turning surplus land into future opportunity
Robyn Brown Principal - Canada East Lead - Placemaking
Across the energy and resources sector, more and more land is shifting out of active use.
Across the energy and resources sector, more and more land is shifting out of active use. Former refineries, depots, and industrial sites are no longer needed for their original purpose, but the opportunity for what comes next is still wide open. Historically these sites were treated as liabilities to decommission, repurpose, and divest. Today the conversation is changing. These locations could become strategic platforms for the future if we look at them through a different lens and understand how these places could contribute to the next.
From unused space to purposeful place
Drag the slider to see before and after
Images for illustrative purposes only.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
From unused space to purposeful place
Images for illustrative purposes only.
Surplus property as a strategic asset
For a long time, surplus sites were seen as just that, surplus—a places where operations stopped and costs and the associated risks began. But, as land values increase, and new infrastructure becomes more costly, that mindset is changing.
When you combine land economics, planning insight, and market intelligence, these spaces start to look like opportunities. These places could host future energy infrastructure, create room for new businesses to take root, or become nature-rich spaces that promote biodiversity and benefit local people. The key is to see the potential early enough to shape it.
Context matters more than assumptions
Every site tells its own story. Its location, its surroundings, its history, and its level of restoration all determine what it can realistically become.
Some will lend themselves naturally to renewable energy, data infrastructure, or commercial redevelopment. Others may hold greater environmental or social value as restored land. There is no one-size-fits-all answer—not all sites are equal, and not all are destined for the same outcomes. The role of lifecycle thinking is to understand the context and find the future that makes sense—for the operator, the community, and the wider transition.
Being honest about that is just as important as being ambitious. Each site will depend on a complex mix of factors including community needs, market conditions, and policy priorities. Knowing the difference early protects everyone financially, socially, and environmentally.
Innovation aligned to lifecycle thinking
Reimagining a site is not only about building something new. It’s about using lifecycle thinking to help shape the next generation of energy systems.
Old pipelines could play a role in future storage networks. Former depots could become hubs for cleaner transport. Retired industrial land could provide the ground for new industries or communities to grow. This is where strategic thinking and environmental responsibility come together—and where the land we once relied on can still play a meaningful part in the transition ahead.
Arcadis helps organizations ask a different question
We work with energy and resources companies around the world to identify opportunities, turn dormant land and redundant buildings into productive assets, and reposition their holdings to see potential. Instead of asking how to exit a site, we encourage a different mindset. We ask what it could become.
To do that, we combine a blend of skills, including:
Land economics
Urban planning
Market analysis
Risk assessment
Future-use scenario modeling
Just as importantly, we focus on aligning every stakeholder in the process—from the client and city planners to the surrounding community—so that each decision is realistic and supported.
Repositioning a surplus site is rarely straightforward. The right answer depends on context—local policy, market demand, environmental conditions, community expectations, and the wider transition underway. But the commercial case is increasingly compelling: repurposing can unlock new income, strengthen ROI, and turn legacy land from a cost center into a strategic asset. We help clients map the options early, pressure-test the economics, and prioritize the pathway that delivers meaningful long-term value.
