Nowadays regeneration of warehouse zones and former industrial areas of the city is becoming one of the most relevant strategies for cities’ sustainable development. The main purpose of the research is to identify the methods and principles of structural and spatial transformations of existing urban areas. The research formulates the need to rethink the attitude to urban planning in general, as well as reveals the warehouse zones’ («Brownfields») potential for sustainable development while their integrated use. On the example of the industrial territory in Kazan, there were developed the principles and methods of structural-density and morphological transformations, which can be used in projects for sustainable development and transformation of existing urbanized settlements. A formalized model of study area’s structural reorganization is constructed, on the basis of which the identified principles of regeneration are tested.The obtained results make it possible to formulate the basic principles underlying structural and planning transformations of warehouse zones and to create its urban planning renovation model. The developed practical methods of implementing such strategies can be applied in the further development of urbanized territories, both new and existing ones.