Civic Engagement and Development Strategies: Learning from the Experience of Participatory Rural Redevelopment

This chapter provides a brief background to the development of initiatives dealing with Brownfield land and stagnant land markets before exploring a model to categorise different types of Brownfield land. It discusses the major challenges that local actors in public, private and third sectors need to tackle. Suggestions for policy and practice to improve the future management of Brownfield land and stagnant land markets in shrinking cities are then made. The management of stagnant land markets needs detailed, accurate and timely information on the scale and nature of urban land beyond current planning categories. The redevelopment of individual Brownfield sites is a complex process. Impacts on the physical environment, the urban fabric and natural ecosystems as well as social and economic impacts need to be analysed and processed through spatial and sectorial policies as well as relevant regulative frameworks. Information on urban land is essential to bring about a coordinated approach to land use management.