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The aim of the research was to assess the developmental priorities of municipalities as they reflect the current policy objectives of the Czech Republic and the European Union, with a focus on the Green Deal and accelerating developmental changes in the external environment. To this end, the key priorities of the Just Transition Fund programme, which is designed for structurally affected regions in the Czech Republic, were selected. Specifically, these included themes in the areas of energy, waste management, transport, brownfield revitalisation and education. The method for obtaining information on the attitudes of municipalities was a questionnaire survey in 160 municipalities within the Ústí nad Labem Region, which also helped to assess the differences between small and large municipalities. The research found that municipalities are prioritising development in energy and waste treatment. At the same time, small municipalities, with under 1000 inhabitants, are slower to develop projects than larger municipalities, and larger municipalities were also more aware of the importance of sustainability issues for future municipal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 30 years, US-based research on contaminated and potentially-contaminated sites, or brownfields, has grown from defining the scope and size of the environmental, health and economic risks posed by abandoned manufacturing sites to exploring and documenting site-specific and area-wide impacts of their cleanup and revitalisation. From early and varied research on environmental and economic policy to equity and public impacts on minority communities, later research considered planning, adding case studies on sustainability and resilience to the scope of research covered. This review paper stems from exchanges of a long-standing network of academic, government agency, and practice professionals working to identify research, policy, and practice gaps. It traces the evolution of US brownfield revitalization research as was informed by, and informed, policy, program and practice. This review summarizes the literature and identifies research gaps and opportunities to further community and agency actions related to investigating, remediating, and redeveloping brownfield sites. It outlines site and area options to build climate resilience, strengthen community action for dismantling structural racism and disinvestment, and reduce the disproportionate risks experienced by communities of colour and areas of low income. The authors propose a new research agenda to address the gaps identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important part of urban renewal, brownfield restoration and renovation are of great significance to the sustainable development of cities. The structure-process-outcome theory was introduced into this study to improve the rationality and scientific vigor of the redevelopment assessment process and to evaluate whether brownfield sites meet the conditions for redevelopment. Based on this theory, the relationship among structures, processes and outcomes can be well elucidated. Specifically, a good structure should contribute to an effective process, which will increase the possibility of a favorable outcome. The basic conditions, practice principles, and result orientation in the whole procedure of brownfield redevelopment were comprehensively analyzed. In addition, a more complete and reasonable three-level evaluation index system for brownfield redevelopment was established. In order to reduce the subjectivity in the evaluation process, an unbiased scientific brownfield redevelopment evaluation model was constructed using the continuous ordered weighted averaging operator-topology method. The evaluation decision system was applied to the renovation of a tract project in Chengdu, China. The results proved that the model could effectively and accurately evaluate the quality level of the brownfield redevelopment project, and the proposed recommendations can provide a basis for decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience thinking refers to the need to be prepared for the unexpected and unknown. Museums have learned to adjust to societal changes, not least because of the recent global pandemic, which has necessitated the introduction of new ways of activating a diverse public. We discuss how resilience thinking can function as a promoter of the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage by including local heritage knowledge in the ongoing regeneration of former brownfield sites. The current sectoral barriers in the planning system prevent museums from being central participants, despite their well-established local anchoring. Intangible heritage can provide coherence and connection between old buildings, including technical structures and new buildings/infrastructure. This allows for options for museums to voice ongoing creative and critical input and appear as spokespersons for civic involvement. Museums' ability to facilitate local involvement needs to be acknowledged in urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownfield redevelopment projects are often perceived as more risky than greenfield investment, and financing opportunities may be more limited and expensive. Different financial support projects have been developed to support regeneration projects, and empirical evidence has shown that all buildings near the intervention area may benefit from an increase in prices once the brownfield project is complete. The article considers the Connecticut market and evaluates the characteristics of the brownfield projects that had access to a financial support program (loan or grant), the impact of the regeneration process on the liquidity of the housing market, and the gap between the price and the appraisal value of the residential unit. Target areas for this type of financing program are mainly characterized by low income, a high density of population, a high incidence of homeowners, and a high crime rate. Once completed, the brownfield requalification has an impact on the housing market because the brownfield recovery reduces the number of house sales due to the increase in the average price in the surrounding area and makes the selling price more consistent with the appraisal valuation. The empirical evidence provided may be useful for public institutions that are suffering from budget constraints and have to prioritize areas for financial support solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Czech Republic, like many other European countries, is characterised by a large number of chateau buildings and sites. Historical events of the last century have caused that in the countries of the socalled Eastern Bloc the original use of these buildings was largely interrupted and the overall management of these properties was neglected. This, together with other factors, led to the creation of a large number of chateau brownfields, which are still visible in the Czech Republic today. The aim of this paper is to determine on the background of a descriptive analysis the key characteristics of chateau brownfields associated in particular with their localization and to reveal any similarities and differences that result from their location within selected LAU1 regions. The analysis is based on the primary research of 367 chateau buildings in 4 NUTS3 regions of the Czech Republic and is unique in its concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic, nuts and bolts structural geology is the unheralded success story central to brownfields exploration that in Australia, and globally, has grown manyfold mineral deposits beyond the start-of-mine Reserve. Since the last (2012) meeting on applied structural geology and Resources, the topic has changed dramatically. Now, structural geology is practised daily and in house by most exploration and mining companies. A diversity of settings, host rocks, control and geometry make it critical to document precisely the rocks in front of the geologist as distinct to what is in a preconceived conceptual model. It is detail that makes for new discoveries and deposit extensions. Three-dimensional computer visualisation helps with volumetric thinking, but there remains no computer alternative to the 3D cognitive geologist. Now essential structural data are integrated with other data, but the product is a hypothesis to be tested, not a silver bullet. Lineations matter and inform. The primary deliverable is images, be they hand-drawn or computer-generated showing the inter-relationships of structure, lithology, mineralisation and mine-site infrastructure/design. With their important embedded knowledge, the geologist, who took the readings, should also be entering, plotting data, synthesising, modelling and presenting to management and Directors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes of active restructuring in the mining industry of many countries have entailed the physical closure of enterprises, accompanied by measures to mitigate their environmental and social impacts. Brownfields that emerged in districts with developed mining industries are predominantly perceived through a stereotypically flat, superficial, and narrowly literal lens. Adhering to such an approach is risky both in terms of ecology and in the aspect of economic losses incurred in territories with concentrated localization of mines. The article provides substantiation for the importance of perceiving brownfields within a threedimensional space, with due consideration given to geological deformations, dynamics of underground water and gas flows, and the potential of gravitational and geo-thermal energy. The authors propose interpreting brownfields as either operating or abandoned industrial sites with buildings and infrastructure facilities on the ground surface, as well as natural landscapes that are negatively affected by geological, hydrodynamic, and gas-dynamic processes characteristic of the disturbance of the subsoil due to underground or open-pit mining operations. The reuse and recycling of industrial waste accumulated within brownfields alone cannot ensure the survival of coal-mining towns. Similarly, depopulation cannot be halted solely through economic instruments. Thus, the strategy for the development of coal-mining towns should entail 'enlightened' restructuring in line with the ideas of 'Smart Shrinking'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental justice is an important topic that can be better understood by using the tools of economics. The author of this article describes a data integration exercise that connects data available through government portals: the Environmental Protection Agency's "Superfund Sites Where You Live" interactive map, data on Net Present Values from Superfund Records of Decisions (ROD), and FRED. Created with the principles of backward design, the exercise uses cooperative learning by having students take ownership of sites chosen for investigation, as well as build and test hypotheses regarding the relationship between per capita GDP and site location/cleanup cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownfields are increasingly called upon to be transformed from potentially contaminated, often vacant properties into community assets that provide multiple benefits. Further, brownfields revitalization can provide critical opportunities and, particularly, nature-based solutions can enhance multiple ecological, human health, and economic benefits. Through a series of non-exhaustive surveys of existing examples of environmental benefits of cleanups, case study examples of brownfield cleanups achieving environmental benefits, and potential ecosystem services tools relevant to steps of a brownfields cleanup effort, we explore practical ideas for enhancing environmental benefits of brownfields cleanups by applying ecosystem services concepts. Examples of nature-based solutions, where appropriate, include the use of rain gardens, permeable pavements, green spaces, and the use of green technologies. Further, this article provides an overview of recent policy initiatives focused on nature-based solutions and enhancing ecosystem services in brownfields cleanup, revitalization, and reuse. Our goals are to increase the knowledge base on these opportunities and discuss how these concepts can be achieved through sharing success stories, making outreach materials accessible, and holding workshops to help successfully operationalize these concepts in a community’s visioning for upcoming revitalization projects.

Land use planning plays a crucial role in urban planning by addressing urban needs, tackling land scarcity challenges, and determining the physical growth of cities. Urban redevelopment, specifically the revitalization of vacant and abandoned lands, serves as an effective strategy to optimize land utilization, mitigate pollution, and enhance the socioeconomic urban environment. In this study, a foresight approach is adopted, employing descriptive-analytical methods to conduct a structural analysis of the factors involved in infill development in the Bronsi barracks brownfields located in Mashhad. Data collection was conducted through secondary research and surveys, with a statistical sample comprising eight purposively selected urban experts. A total of 15 variables associated with sustainable brownfield planning were identified, encompassing physical-spatial, socioeconomic, managerial-institutional, and environmental aspects. These variables were further classified into five groups: influential, double-faceted, susceptible, independent, and regulatory. To evaluate the relationships among the variables, the Micmac software was utilized, and subsequent scenarios including probable and favorable outcomes were determined. The analysis highlighted the priority of three key factors in inactive lands: land price, accessibility to services and facilities, and the number of land uses. These findings are of great significance and should be taken into consideration by urban decision-makers not only in the studied sites but also in similar areas.

Miscanthus × giganteus (M × g) is a promising energy crop in phytotechnology with biomass production. Despite considerable vegetation and harvest under varying climate conditions and across different soils, field-scale studies on utilising M × g remain scarce. Analysing the literature and our own findings, this study intends to highlight the potential of M × g phytotechnology for revitalising non-agricultural lands (NAL), including brownfields, and illustrate the expediency of applying biochar to enhance biomass yield, energy efficiency, and economic feasibility. To validate the feasibility of M × g production on brownfields, two scenarios within the value chain “biomass–biogas–electricity” for green harvest were examined. The assumptions were as follows: (1) a methane yield of 5134 m3 ha−1 y−1, and (2) substrate-specific methane yields of 247 and 283 mL (g oDM)−1 for the first and subsequent years, respectively. The findings suggest that Scenario 2 is better suited for cultivating M × g on brownfields/NAL, being more sensitive and eliminating inaccuracies and the generalisations of results. From the third year onward, the revenue of M × g production on biochar-amended brownfields showed greater potential for future profitability. Future research should confirm the positive trend in the energy efficiency ratio of M × g phytotechnology on a larger scale, particularly in real brownfield applications.

Water is a fundamental steelworks additional resource; its efficient management is crucial for process reliability, product quality and environmental sustainability. Within steelworks, water is exploited mainly for direct or indirect cooling and is usually reused and recycled after cooling and treatments to eliminate contaminants. However, bottlenecks often exist, limiting water management efficiency and increasing water consumption. These issues are mainly related to water treatments efficiency, lack of water parameters monitoring and the manual/semi-manual management of water networks. Furthermore, these aspects are generally associated with the plant's service life; brownfield sites are mostly affected. In these cases, improving sensor circuits coupled with decision support tools can support human decisions and lead to significant advantages. The paper discusses a potential application of such tools after new sensors installation in a use case concerning the minimization of the use of high-quality make-up-water for the indirect cooling system of a wire-rod mill in electric steelworks. The effectiveness of the described tool is shown, and the advantages are highlighted in terms of potential savings that can reach 95% and 4% of the current consumption of well and osmotic water in the considered circuit, respectively, corresponding to a saving of about 9400 m3/year of high-quality water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownfields or objects of accumulated environmental damage are a complex object characterized by both the absorption and release of uncontrolled energy (for example, biogas or hydrothermal energy). The brownfield redevelopment process provides unique opportunities to ensure efficient energy transfer and maintain environmental stability. However, the implementation of these solutions depends on the quality of the assessment of the cumulative impact of unspent deposits, namely, the assessment of the damage caused to the environment, which, in turn, gives an understanding of how to ensure the elimination of damage to energy efficiency and environmental safety from uncontrolled carbon dioxide emissions. In this article, we consider the problems of assessing the cumulative effect of waste management activities, as a result of which abandoned deposits or objects of accumulated environmental damage appear. A cycle of measures to achieve socio-economic efficiency through the re-development of brownfields and their integration within energy-efficient systems and environmentally balanced systems is proposed, and a new concept of identifying the negative occurrence of brownfields under the influence of climate change is substantiated. Particularly, we assess the possibilities of integrating brownfields or objects of accumulated environmental damage into energy-efficient and environmentally balanced systems for goals of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the regeneration of a former textile factory in the Czech Republic, focusing on different types of actors and their distinctive rhythmicity. At least three types of actors with a distinct relation to time can be identified in the regeneration process: NGOs, municipal authorities, and private companies. NGOs tend to think with a long-term scope, municipal authorities have a four-year election period, and private companies plan time in months. The authors explore the question: how is the different rhythmicity of individual actors reflected in the process of negotiating brownfield regeneration in Ústí nad Orlicí, a small Czech town located outside metropolitan areas and development axes? We use an interpretive framework derived from Lefebvre's The Production of Space and Rhythmanalysis and analyze in-depth interviews with key actors of regeneration. At a general level, interconnections of the politics of time and the politics of space are explored. One of the main findings is that actors use specific combinations of time and space – in the form of slowing-down and speeding-up tools – in regeneration negotiations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy developers often have not had enough tax capacity to utilize the tax credits and depreciation deductions generated by energy projects and so have traditionally monetized those tax benefits by bringing tax equity investors with sufficient tax liability into the projects through joint ventures. 9 The direct pay option is available to taxable entities for a limited period of time with respect to following three tax credits: section 45Q (Carbon Oxide Sequestration Credit), section 45V (Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit), and section 45X (Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit). The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) signed into law on August 16, 2022 has generated explosive interest in clean and renewable energy investment in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

The last economic crisis imposed structural changes on many former industrial areas, leading public and private stakeholders to reconsider the urgency of issues related to the environmental remediation and requalification of areas. Nevertheless, while the remediation and reuse of industrial brownfield sites present an important opportunity for the improvement of urban quality, sustaining the costs of these operations is currently an economic burden for owners or local authorities. For this reason, temporary uses and temporary activities could be a successful way of finding opportunities in periods of uncertainty and crisis, financial market volatility, deindustrialisation and political change. This paper explores the possibility of pursuing temporary reuse in a specific brownfield site in Italy, where urban redevelopment has been halted for far too long. The main positive effects attributed in the literature to temporary reuse are: economic benefits to the owner, users and the broader urban context; social and economic benefits to the local community; increased democratic participation in urban development; adaptability and innovation in the process of urban change; and low costs of implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial heritage parks, an effective form of urban brownfield reuse, effectively mitigate pollution, improve the human living environment, and achieve sustainable development; industrial heritage parks, which add blue and green space to a city, also play an important role in presenting urban history and culture, promoting regional economic growth, and achieving human well-being. Exploring the user behavior use of industrial heritage parks and conducting post-occupancy evaluation of projects based on subjective human perceptions from the users' perspective can contribute to improve the sustainable management, maintenance, and design of projects in the future. However, previous studies on post-occupancy evaluation have not been sufficiently studied for urban industrial heritage parks. This study takes Beijing Shougang Park, a representative industrial heritage park in China, as the research object, and distributes and collects nearly 150 questionnaires about user behavior and four significant evaluation items after the preliminary field research, analyzes the importance and satisfaction evaluation of the park design elements (place characteristics, natural environment characteristics, usability characteristics, and management characteristics), and uses a frequency analysis, an IPA analysis, an independent t-test, an analysis of variance, and a multiple regression analysis, and other methods are used, to quantitatively analyze the content of the questionnaire. The results of the study include the following: (1) The park is mainly used by people in their twenties to thirties and forties, and the usage rate of the sports plaza, which is the main facility, is the highest, while the usage rate of the renovation facility, the machine room, is the lowest. (2) While Shougang Park users were more satisfied with the natural environment features, Shougang Park users were found to be relatively less satisfied with the place and usability features. (3) The natural environment characteristics of Shougang Park had a positive effect on both overall satisfaction and recommendation intention. Finally, based on the questions and suggestions from users, a park renewal optimization strategy is proposed, hoping to provide suggestions for the renovation and design of similar industrial heritage parks in Chinese cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytomining of rare earth elements (REEs) provides a potential possibility for metal recovery at brownfields where conventional mining technique is not reasonable or profitable. The holistic concept of phytomining is instituted from three scientific sectors. Phytoextraction is the first stage referred to accumulation of REEs in plants. This is followed by the enrichment process aiming to elevate metal concentration into solid remains. Eventually, extraction technology is applied to reclaim these valuable metals from the bio-ores. The main goal of this study is to identify a possible location for REEs phytomining, which lays the groundwork for further investigations. To do that, different woody biomass from disparate contaminated spots was harvested and examined. A brownfield land located in Gyongyosoroszi, Hungary has been selected based on the elemental analysis of ash samples obtained from the incineration of the collected plants at 500 °C. The outcomes also preliminarily indicate the viability of phytomining in recovering REEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of aquifers to store water and the stability of infrastructure can each be adversely influenced by variations in groundwater levels and subsequent land subsidence. Along the south bank of the River Thames, the Battersea neighbourhood of London is renovating a vast 42-acre (over 8 million sq ft) former industrial brownfield site to become host to a community of homes, shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, offices, and over 19 acres of public space. For this renovation, between 2016 and 2020, a significant number of bearing piles and secant wall piles, with diameters ranging from 450 mm to 2000 mm and depths of up to 60 m, were erected inside the Battersea Power Station. Additionally, there was considerable groundwater removal that caused the water level to drop by 2.55 ± 0.4 m/year between 2016 and 2020, as shown by Environment Agency data. The study reported here used Sentinel-1 C-band radar images and the persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PSInSAR) methodology to analyse the associated land movement for Battersea, London, during this period. The average land subsidence was found to occur at the rate of −6.8 ± 1.6 mm/year, which was attributed to large groundwater withdrawals and underground pile construction for the renovation work. Thus, this study underscores the critical interdependence between civil engineering construction, groundwater management, and land subsidence. It emphasises the need for holistic planning and sustainable development practices to mitigate the adverse effects of construction on groundwater resources and land stability. By considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), city planners and stakeholders can proactively address these interrelated challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protection and mitigation of biodiversity are essential within land-use planning; highlighted by the increased importance of nature during the global pandemic and the fight against climate change. Currently, the character of both the land and decision-makers can influence the weight biodiversity is ascribed within planning processes. Through analysis of semi-structured interviews, with various actors within the Northamptonshire planning system, this research explored the opportunities and challenges around promoting biodiversity across brownfield sites; the motivations for conservation by different planning actors; and what this means for the future of urban habitats on previously developed land. This research found that brownfield sites continue to be undervalued for their biodiversity potential, predominantly due to the downplaying of ecological expertise in decision-making. With England's proposed planning reforms, this paper argues that tensions between brownfield redevelopment and biodiversity conservation stand to be further exacerbated as the government intends to "scythe through red tape" (Johnson 2020b). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, laws regarding soil pollution were limited in China. However, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, soil pollution has become a major environmental issue. Thereby, in order to address the emerging threat, different measures have been introduced and implemented by Chinese government. The paper, in this regard, examines the role of government measures to reduce soil pollution, eco-innovation, and environmental sustainability on soil pollution in China. secondary data from the World Development Indicators (WDI), Chinese Soil Database, the global economy, and the environmental performance index (EPI) has been collected from 1985 to 2020. Autoregressive distributed lag model is used in the study to check the relationship among constructs. Findings reveal that government expenditures to reduce soil pollution, eco-innovation, and environmental sustainability have a negative association with soil pollution in China. The results also revealed that industrialization and population growth have a positive linkage with soil pollution in China. Having these evidences, the study recommends that fiscal policies should be formulated to increase the budget for soil reduction projects so it can save soil from pollution. Likewise, policymakers must behave to encourage eco-innovation at economic and societal levels to reduce soil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the two-phase displacement behaviors of oil and water in porous media under different reservoir development modes for enhanced oil recovery is essential. In this paper, the influence of development measures, such as increasing the injection rate, changing the inlet/outlet position, increasing the water viscosity, and reducing the surface tension coefficient, on oil–water dynamic behaviors was studied using a numerical simulation based on the study of the formation of a high-water-cut channel by water flooding at different injection rates. The results show that blockage and restart occur during displacement in the pore–throat channel and during staggered displacement in different pore channels. With an increase in the injection rate, the recovery increases first and then decreases. All the different development measures can increase the swept area and recovery factor. The recovery factor increases significantly by reducing the surface tension coefficient at medium/high injection rates (≥0.01 m/s) and by increasing the viscosity of the water at low injection rates (<0.01 m/s). The numerical simulation study preliminarily revealed the influence of different development measures on displacement behaviors in the pore model. It thus provides theoretical support for understanding the law of oil and water movement in reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the development of the BLOCK600 project in downtown Lansing, Michigan, which aimed to revitalize the area by addressing the lack of amenities, such as a downtown grocery store, and attracting more residents and businesses. It reports that the project successfully combined a grocery store, hotel, and loft apartments within the same building, overcoming challenges related to site size and contamination.

Structural change in the agricultural economy may result in the abandonment of agricultural buildings, creating rural brownfield sites. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, post‐agricultural brownfields have become very common in Central and Eastern Europe. Our aim is to uncover and understand the reuse preferences for 16 reuse options, among 1275 survey respondents (local residents) from 272 rural communities with post‐agricultural brownfields in the Czech Republic. The influence of respondent status, the socioeconomic characteristics of those communities and environmental characteristics of communities were tested using redundancy analysis and variation partitioning. Three types of reuse were identified as most preferred among respondents: agricultural reuse, industrial reuse and reuse for housing, services and leisure time activities. We found strong and significant ties between the pattern of preferences for potential reuse options and demographic, community socioeconomic and environmental context variables. It can therefore be concluded that preferences for rural renewal tend to be constructed comprehensively and encompass social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. In order to implement a vision that promotes sustainable rural development, we need to recognise that the preferences of rural residents are fundamentally shaped by the local environment and are therefore highly dependent on the place‐based circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and renewal of brownfield sites have now evolved into an inevitable task in urban planning. Indeed, these areas are considered as potential and hidden reserve areas for cities due to the different urbanisation processes and urban planning trends (urban sprawl, compact city approach, etc.). However, the process of revitalisation is not always a 'smooth journey.' One reason is that merely physical regeneration is not sufficient to reintegrate the area into the urban fabric. It is essential to identify the economic, environmental, and social processes that have an impact on the area, to pinpoint the local actors/stakeholders, and to map the characteristics of the neighbourhood and the internal and external factors that hinder its overall regeneration. Therefore, a detailed and in-depth study should be conducted prior to revitalisation. In this research we examined and prepared a case study of a brownfield site in Budapest (the breweries of Kőbánya in Budapest - which used to be known as the "Hungarian Munich" in the 19th century). We identified the main external and internal factors, as well as local and district particularities and obstacles to regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Regeneration of urban brownfields is currently one of the strategies for densification and urban sustainability. However, as an architectural intervention, it is not an easy task and usually leads to two opposing dilemmas; demolition and/or conservation. This difficulty was observed in the regeneration projects of the colonial military brownfields in the city of Tlemcen, where the actors involved adopted different approaches, some of which damaged the existing architectural heritage and its values. The aim of this article is therefore to analyse the transformation processes of the military brownfields studied and to assess their conservation dimension. The latter is considered to be an indicator that makes it possible, on the one hand, to detect the modality of appropriation of the colonial architectural heritage within the projects analysed and, on the other hand, to assess their sustainability from a heritage perspective. This research was therefore based on the following scientific methods: in-situ observation, historical analysis, comparative analysis and semi-structured interviews. The results obtained for the two main study cases showed that the regeneration of the Bedeau barracks has a higher conservative dimension than that of the African hunter's barracks and can consequently be considered more sustainable in heritage terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prefecture of Piraeus in Greece is dotted with prior industrial sites that are currently abandoned. This paper addresses the ability of these sites to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and urban development through regeneration, by understanding the history of Piraeus, the environmental and social opportunities that may come from revitalization, and the communities' needs within their municipalities. Additionally, the paper analyzes the European Union's prior policies that have outlined the sustainable development of cities, and the role that the regeneration of brownfields in Greece may play in achieving these policy directives. To do this, the paper addresses the historical emergence of urban sustainability efforts and the funding mechanisms in place today that may be applicable to the case of Piraeus. Additionally, this research takes into account citizens' perspectives on desired future land uses at currently abandoned land in the municipality of Piraeus through public surveys. The paper aims to contextualize future opportunities for the local environments and communities in Piraeus that may come from sustainable regeneration of brownfield sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the costs and feasibility of building photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on brownfields in four localities in Taiwan. Brownfield remediation was assessed as ex situ excavation, in situ physicochemical treatment, and phytoremediation. The localities in tropical Southern Taiwan would have a higher feed‐in tariff revenue (US$0.1750 kWh–1) due to a higher daily power generating efficiency from sunlight. The capital cost including the PV modules would be approximately US$27.1–US$440 million, but the 20‐year operation and maintenance costs would be much lower. The residual value of the PV systems would be significant (US$0.03–$4.7 million) if the systems are recycled at the end of their lifetime. The total revenues from building PV systems on remediated brownfields would be US$463 241–$7 597 138, with a payback period of less than 13 years. The benefit/cost ratios of the PV systems would be between 1.26 and 1.86 depending on the remediation costs. The payback period would be extended to 16 years with a US$0.61 million ha–1 net present value if the brownfields are remediated by phytoremediation. The sensitivity analysis found that the capital costs, feedback fund, and daily power generating efficiency would be US$343 097 for every 1% of the total revenue. It is worth building a PV system if the cost of land is higher than the net present value of the PV system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]