The beauty of brownfields

Brownfields represent a unique opportunity and challenge for the implementation of innovative projects. Brownfield locations are usually very well connected to transport infrastructure and utility networks and at the same time offer ideal conditions for research and technology centres, coworking spaces, state-of-the-art technologies, and possibly even non-traditional forms of housing (cohousing, lofts, etc.).

The Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic back in 1989 brought a number of important changes. The democratic system and private ownership of property were renewed, borders were opened, and the market economy was restored.

The country's brownfields were created by the long-term disuse of buildings that previously served energy- and labour-intensive industries. A separate category of brownfields is made up of former military facilities, agricultural sites, areas for extraction of raw materials and transportation facilities.

According to Czechinvest data there are a total of 4,600 brownfield sites in the Czech Republic with a total area of 15,000 hectares. In Prague, for example, there are 20 brownfield sites with an average area of 4.7 hectares! The potential of brownfield sites is great and represents an important resource for urban planning and the development of urban infrastructure. It is essential to involve a wide range of stakeholders in the transformation of brownfield sites and to address issues of ownership and management of these sites. Cooperation between the private and public sectors is key to successful brownfield redevelopment.

The advantages of brownfield sites as construction land are obvious. It is not sustainable for towns to continually sprawl wide and into the surrounding landscape.
Brownfield sites are often located in strategic locations, offering opportunities for investment in new industries, information technology, distribution, retail, and leisure, as well as public sector investment. The redevelopment of brownfield sites with environmental contamination will also significantly improve the quality of environment, while providing real benefits to all activities in the adjacent areas. They not only have economic and environmental potential but also the opportunity to create attractive, viable and sustainable sites.

Benefits of brownfield redevelopment

• increase of economic activity in the redeveloped area - business and commerce, housing, services
• inflow of foreign direct investment
• creating attractive jobs
• increasing competitiveness
• increasing the attractiveness of the location and thus increase in tourism
• limited requirements on agricultural land in contrast to greenfield projects in line with
• in line with the principles of sustainable development
• environmental improvement through site decontamination
• mobilisation of private capital
• increasing the value of properties in and around the brownfield sites
• positive impact on crime prevention and thus on overall crime reduction