Redevelopment potential of brownfields: A-B-C classification and its practical application

Abstract

Brownfields significantly influence the contemporary character of the majority of cities, towns and
\nvillages not only in the Czech Republic, but Europe wide. It is obvious that potential of individual
\nbrownfields to be redeveloped differs according to various factors. As a consequence of existence
\nof thousands of brownfields classification of such sites has to be developed to enable their sorting
\nand selecting for redevelopment. The majority of experts concerned with brownfields are familiar
\nwith the theoretical model of brownfield types A-B-C introduced by the Cabernet Project, funded by
\nthe European Union. This classification of brownfields according to their redevelopment potential
\ncould be applied in decision making on necessity of public funding for individual brownfields
\nredevelopment projects. This proposal, however, has two caveats: The first one lies in the
\nclassification method used to sort brownfields into the individual categories. The second lies in
\napplying the classification within the system of subvention programmes where regeneration has
\noften different goals. This paper follows the theoretical debate on brownfields classification in its
\nfirst part; the second part is devoted to analysis of the A-B-C model and its practical application on
\nset of brownfields on the example of the South Moravian and Ústí Region (the Czech Republic).
\nMore than 20 various indicators were employed to evaluate redevelopment potential of studied
\nbrownfields.