A dataset of cost estimates for urban soil restoration in France

This dataset provides novel statistical descriptors of the costs associated with urban soil restoration in France. It is linked to the research article entitled “Digging into the Costs of Urban Soil Restoration.” The data is derived from 56 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, complemented by an analysis of technical documentation. The dataset includes a structured documentation featuring a detailed nomenclature of urban soil restoration steps and techniques, along with translations between French and English technical terms (File 1). Building on this nomenclature, two core databases are provided: on cost estimates (File 2, quantitative data), and on drivers of cost variability (File 3, qualitative data). To support practical applications, an Excel-based interface enables users to build their own restoration scenarios and assess corresponding total cost estimates (File 4). This dataset is intended as a valuable resource for policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and practitioners involved in urban soil restoration. It can inform regulatory design, strategic planning, site-specific intervention, and financial assessment.