Resumen de Dealing with geopolitical brownfield sites: towards an adaptive guideline to foster their regeneration
This study set out initially to compare characteristics and possible regeneration approach between typical brownfield sites and semi-like brownfield sites in geopolitical conflict zones to identify similarities and differences. Despites many physical similarities, the differences identified as cause and origin of the abandonment in such areas with direct link to geopolitical contexts in contrast to economic and demographic changes and urban expansions as major causes of typical brownfields. This study has shown that there is no definition of geopolitical conflict as a cause of brownfield sites in any planning systems in the world and suggests the need to include geopolitical conflict as a new cause of semi-like brownfields. After comparison task, this study set out to explore responsiveness of existing brownfield regeneration policies and regulations in conflict zones. Corresponding to the findings, this study has opened arguments on combination of information related to geolocation (space) with conflict of interest over space (power) to provides a powerful mechanism of an interdisciplinary approach and construct stronger frameworks to deal with abandoned properties in conflict zones. Such mechanism discussed under a proposed land typology, denominated as ‘geopolitical brownfields’ and a conceptual framework for diagnosis purposes. To ensure the proposed framework is not a simple pragmatic suggestion, an in-depth analysis through case of Cyprus conflict with high level of complexity presented. Although this study is inductive research with a qualitative approach, the theoretical features of quantitative research are used in combination with practical features of qualitative research. The evidences from this study enabled this research to discuss and explore the complexity of geopolitical brownfields towards a problem identification method rather than contributing to potential solutions.
