An evaluation on sustainable brownfield regeneration opportunities in periphery area of Nicosia buffer zone

ABSTRACT: Previously developed lands, which are now vacant and/or abandoned, are widely referred to the term brownfield, which is the opposite of the undeveloped lands (greenfields). These sites mainly have started to appear after Second World War, which was combined with rapid growth of population and urban environment, and changes in industries and technology. One of the significant causes of urban crisis within the cities is the appearance of brownfields. After many years of urban decays, the idle land-uses became a golden opportunity for further developments of cities and also it was realized that by re-using them it reduces the pressure on greenfields, therefore in 1990‟s the term brownfield was born to emphasise these properties. Accordingly, this study reviews the critical principles related to brownfield issues and exploring the recent discussions on the topic. Afterwards, example studies will help to understand the impacts of sustainable brownfield regeneration (SBR). According to the issues that have been discussed in this research, a guideline as a product of theoretical framework for process for sustainable brownfield regeneration program has been produced. This guideline has been developed to show how complex and comprehensive is the SBR program. In this regard, the inner part of the city of Nicosia, which is the last divided city in Europe, is selected as the field study in general and in particular the peripheral of buffer zone within the city. Because of many reasons (e.g. Buffer zone, military areas, political conflicts, and etc.) the study area has been faced serious urban declines. For these purposes the examinations and evaluations have been done by means of physical, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political dimension to draw a framework for first step of sustainable brownfield regeneration program. This first step framework consists of recognition and examination of existing situation related to brownfield issues, which identify, decode, and de-contextualize the soul of the problem. The methodology for data collection of this study is based on qualitative and quantitative data collection from physical environment of the site, local community, and official authorities. For data analysis and evaluations, the statistic results and qualitative analysis categorized in positive and negative issues to decode and identify the existing situation and problems towards brownfield issues. The outcome of the analysis have been formed a clear understandings of the existing problems within the study area, therefore as the result and conclusion of this study, which is based on regeneration principles, a conceptual guideline model which demonstrated the process of SBR program has been suggested. Keywords: Land-use Policies, Urban Regeneration, Sustainable Development, Brownfield, Nicosia. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………