New Survey Finds Communicating New Image a Challenge for Redeveloped Sites, and Local Government Should Be More Open to Technology Adoption

Business Wire,  May 14, 2008  

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* Survey conducted at Brownfields 2008: 80% of respondents agree that shaking off a negative image is a challenge for redeveloped sites

WASHINGTON -- WebsEdge, a provider of web-based channels for private and public organizations, has released the results of a survey conducted with city managers, developers, and community advocates at this year's ICMA Brownfields 2008 conference.

Brownfield sites are properties whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Many city areas across America face the challenge of how to 'shake off' an old image and communicate the positive nature of new investment and redevelopment efforts. This was reflected in the survey results, with four-fifths of respondents (80%) saying they considered communication of a new image to be a challenge for brownfield sites.

Only 13% of respondents agreed that the public understand the role played by brownfield sites in removing development pressure from open land and protecting the environment, with the majority (87%) stating that the public does not understand this role.

When asked whether local governments should be more open to using newer technologies to engage with citizens, all 100 respondents agreed, stating that local government should consider technologies such as web-based TV to engage with citizens.

Stephen Horn, CEO of WebsEdge, said, "Brownfield sites have so much to offer in terms of opportunity, protecting the environment, and re-energizing and creating communities. Yet as our survey shows, one of the key challenges is how to shift public perception of these sites and to communicate their benefits to existing citizens and potential new members of the community. By adopting technologies such as web-based TV, city managers and local governments can close the communication gap by helping people to see and experience redevelopments though a media that instantly connects with individuals."

"Driving local economic revitalization and showing the benefits of these redevelopments will help to transform communities across America, as well as public opinion and perception of brownfield sites," he added.

The survey of 100 city managers, planners, developers, and community advocates was conducted from May 5-7 at ICMA at Brownfields 2008 in Detroit, MI.

About WebsEdge

WebsEdge is a provider of web-based channels for private and public organizations across Europe and America. The company helps organizations to increase their communications reach by delivering content through low-cost web-based TV channels.

In developing these bespoke channels, Websedge enables clients to deliver professional television programming content to a potentially worldwide audience of broadband internet users. WebsEdge also works with clients to create broadcast-quality web-based TV programs tailored to specific sectors, organizations and audiences.

For more information on WebsEdge, visit www.websedgetv.com.

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