Mayor Lois Jackson and the Corporation of Delta have been recognized for efforts to turn abandoned properties into viable industrial operations.

The Canadian Urban Institute, a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization, has named Jackson as its 2012 Brownfielder of the Year for her work to clean up the former Delta Shake and Shingle landfill site.

The institute describes Delta's fiveterm mayor as a "tireless and vocal advocate" for brownfield issues.

"The mayor's Saving Our Industrial Lands (SOIL) initiative is an innovative and visionary approach to the brownfield problem and uses the regulatory tools available to local governments through the Community Charter to provide the necessary economic incentives."

In addition to the mayor's individual award, Delta's SOIL initiative has also been chosen by the institute as a Brownie Awards finalist in the legislation and policy category.

"I am honoured to achieve this distinction and pleased with Delta's nomination for our hard work and determination in seeing these lands remediated and transformed into sustainable industrial development," Jackson said.

"We have made great headway in closing brownfield sites and are committed to stimulating further innovative redevelopment in the River Road East area."

Through SOIL, Delta provides incentives to companies to encourage environmental and economic revitalization of the sites.