EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network

Brownfield regeneration

Introduction

This research project describes the existence of sustainable or participatory approaches, and exemplary features for the recognition of sustainability-concepts in brownfield redevelopment.

Description

The process of industrial change has resulted in the creation of so-called " brownfields" across Europe, particularly in urban areas. These sites present particular challenges to national and regional policymakers, including the remediation of hazards to human beings, groundwater and ecosystems. But there is also a need to facilitate the reintegration of rehabilitated sites into the property market and to ensure that they can be brought back into new economic uses.

Background information

This research is initiated by the RESCUE project. RESCUE intends to improve the quality of derelict land recycling in terms of the sustainability of the build environment and the quality of urban life. RESCUE will help to overcome the current obstacles in such projects, contribute to reducing the demand for Greenfield development and therefore save natural resources. Based on concrete case study sites, the regeneration process will be broken down into the main steps of decision making and analysed along transnational Work packages by interdisciplinary teams.

EU involvement

RESCUE is the acronym for Regeneration of European Sites in Cities and Urban Environments. It is a research project in the framework of key action IV " Cities of tomorrow and cultural heritage" of the specific programme "Energy, environment and sustainable development" within the 5th Framework Programme of the European Community in the field of research, technological development and demonstration.

Conclusions

Germany and the United Kingdom are represented with two regions each, France and Poland with one region each. A first glance on the regions gives the impression that they have little in common. Historically, the regions share the same industrial
development and economic decline leaving large brownfields behind. All regions are heavy industry conurbations having trouble of managing the structural change.

Contact info

RESCUE – Regeneration of European Sites in Cities and Urban Environments
Prof. Bernhard Butzin

Publication date

01/01/2005

Researcher

Claus Kogelheide, Martin Franz and Ralf Himmelmann.

Links

For more information on brownfield regeneration, and tho learn more about RESCUE, please visit the project website

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Keywords

Brownfield development