Eco-City: Model Concept for Transforming Brownfield into Modern Urban District

Abstract

Brownfields are undoubtedly a problem in many 21st century cities. Abandoned, degraded, dangerous, overgrown and degrading the image of cities, they also have many potentials and assets. In the context of contemporary urban development trends related to sustainable development and the idea of creating a compact city with a high quality of life, post-industrial areas, especially those located in city centers, are ideal areas for new investments. Polish cities still have a tendency to urban sprawl, which is why the purpose of this article is to draw attention to the transformation of brownfield areas into modern eco and healthy urban districts as a way of creating sustainable urban space. In addition, the article deals with the topic of pro-ecological solutions, including those related to adaptation to climate change. The study uses the case study method. Five significant examples of post-industrial area transformation from Germany, Spain and France were selected. During the analyzes compared masterplans, functional schemes and location of these areas, and then the basic parameters and relationships between them were distinguished in four main categories: general data, environment, land development and attractiveness assessment. The conclusions of the comparative analysis allowed for the definition of detailed guidelines for creating a model concept for land development of the brownfields located in the city structure. The chosen location is placed in Katowice in former areas of Silesia Zinc Plant. The proposed concept presents functional solutions for connecting residential, recreational, commercial office and industrial areas. It is a template solution for the process of spatial, social and economic development. The project proposes pro-ecological solutions and technologies, including: water recycling, use of solar energy, energy storage, intelligent control and monitoring systems, sustainable mobility, building development based on natural ventilation of the city, rain gardens, reducing heat islands, etc. The transformation methods based on modern pro-ecological technologies in the context of adaptation to climate change which were presented in the article may constitute guidelines for the implementation in similar cases of transforming brownfield areas into modern urban districts.