8 November 2024With a multitude of contaminated brownfields awaiting redevelopment, gaining insight into residents’ perceptions of these sites is paramount. This study addresses this gap by investigating factors underlying dissatisfaction with contaminated brownfield redevelopment in France. To this purpose, we conducted in 2015 a survey among 803 French individuals living in municipalities impacted by at least one contaminated brownfield site. We collected data on the following topics: risk perceptions and risk experience regarding soil contamination, preferences regarding brownfield redevelopment projects and socio-demographic characteristics. Nearly 80 % of the surveyed individual’s express dissatisfaction with contaminated brownfield redevelopment policies in France. Using logistic regressions, we explain dissatisfaction regarding contaminated brownfield redevelopment. Our results show the regions of residence considering the number of contaminated brownfield sites is significantly and positively correlated with individuals’ dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction is also correlated with risk perception of soil contamination, brownfield, and awareness of brownfield site in the nearby environment of living. Individuals perceive the risk of soil pollution in their municipality as high (scoring 7). This level of concern is positively correlated with the dissatisfaction expressed towards brownfield redevelopment policies. Individuals who tend to mistrust State government are not willing to be involved in brownfield redevelopment projects and to use remediated facilities on formerly contaminated brownfields. This raises issues regarding ways to reduce the stigma effect related to contaminated brownfield.