Megaprojects, Gentrification, and Tourism. A Systematic Review on Intertwined Phenomena

Within the neoliberal context of today’s urbanism, a growing number of inner-city megaprojects aim to transform brownfield sites—accompanied by gentrification and tourism. However, there is no systematic review exploring the interplay between these phenomena. This paper aims to systemize the existing scientific contributions by means of a literature review. Using different databases, a total number of 797 scientific documents have been identified. After several screening steps, a final set of 66 studies was included in the review. I present an analysis from a quantitative and a qualitative perspective, exploring bibliometric aspects, concepts, methods, and relevant lines of discussion. The area studied is a relatively young and emerging field. Within the discussion, there is a strong dominance of countries located in the global north, with Spain, the UK, and the U.S. at the forefront. From a methodological point of view, qualitative and mixed methods are mostly applied. The discussion of megaprojects, gentrification, and tourism has an important descriptive focus, with main topics such as planning, justice, and motivations. There are considerable conceptual deficits, as one-quarter of the studies do not clearly explain their methods. Future research needs to find ways to enable knowledge transfer to planning practice.

Concept for the Urban Production of Pharmaceuticals to Compensate for Local Shortages

Long and complex supply chains are one of the main reasons for drug shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic and abrupt global lockdown have highlighted how precarious the global pharmaceutical market is. This paper presents a concept for pharmaceutical production in greenfield, urban and local areas as a way to mitigate drug shortages around the world. This approach represents a paradigm shift because the production of medicine tablets still happens mostly at big brownfield sites. The concept is based on the VDI 5200 guidelines and procedures used for factory planning at general production plants. The derived methodology takes three phases into account and enables the integration of continuous tablet manufacturing into urban areas to supply the local population with medicine.

Specific Skills and Adapted Support

Although urban brownfields hold significant inherent potential, especially in limiting urban sprawl, a large number of sites are still awaiting a regeneration project. Moreover, many of these projects only partially or superficially address sustainability principles. Hence, concrete courses of action are required to support the evolution of current practices towards increased sustainability. These courses of action, which rely on specific skills and adapted supports, require a complementary approach. In other words, strategies should be conducted consistently at the territorial, metropolitan, and project levels. In this regard, the present chapter provides a series of courses of action to be implemented at these levels. Our aim here is to foster the sustainable transition of metropolitan areas, and more precisely brownfield sites, into lively neighbourhoods.

The Multiple Potentials of Urban Brownfields

The phenomenon of urban brownfields is significant throughout European metropolitan areas. In this chapter, we assess, both in qualitative and quantitative terms, the inherent potential of urban brownfields to provide a relevant and substantial densification strategy for metropolitan areas. First, we explore the various opportunities for improvement of the built environment offered by urban brownfields in terms of environment, society, and economics, which are the core principles of sustainable development. This analysis is, inter alia, a juxtaposition between urban brownfields and the compact and polycentric city model, adapted to the metropolitan area. While brownfield regeneration appears to be a relevant densification strategy, it nevertheless implies that a sufficient reserve of land is available to engage policymakers. Thus, we attempt to estimate the urban brownfield stock in three countries: the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and France. The data subsequently serves as a basis for our calculation of the theoretical construction potential of brownfield sites.

Delivering higher density suburban development: The impact of building design and residents’ attitudes

The urgent need for housing in London will be met almost exclusively through building on brownfield sites. While Inner and suburban Outer London are both home to a range of brownfield sites, the politics of delivering new housing varies between the two. First, Outer London is built at significantly lower density and therefore densification has a more noticeable impact. Second, many residents in Outer London value living at lower density and will see densification as undermining that which they value. Third, homeownership is more common in Outer London and as housing is the most significant asset for most homeowners any threat to its value is likely to be strongly resisted. Our research tests whether design can positively impact both the perception and acceptability of densification. For this, we run a randomised control trial presenting 939 Outer London residents with simulated images representing different design features. We find that the effects of building design are limited and relate almost exclusively to low and medium density options. Our research shows that vernacular design can make some increase in density acceptable but for significantly higher density the influence of design declines. As density increases, the perception and acceptability of density are more influenced by people’s views on, for example, the extent of London’s housing crisis. This indicates that planners and politicians must reach beyond design and seek to better inform and persuade residents about housing need if the impasse on densification is to be overcome.

BROWNFIELD SITES AND PROPERTY MARKET SENSITIVITY

The existence of Brownfield sites is one of the main challenges that Malaysia must face due to financial, administrative and policy problems. The negative environmental and social impacts of Brownfield sites jeopardise residents’ health and well-being, causing nearby areas to be less desirable for occupation and investment. These impacts result in price discounts. Hence, this research aims to establish the sensitivity of the property market towards Brownfield sites through a critical review. An overview of previous studies shows that property prices are sensitive towards Brownfield sites. This indicates that the proximity to a Brownfield site is considered when making property purchase decisions. Thus, property valuers, planners and developers should consider the Brownfield factor during property planning, development and valuation.

“Britain's rainforests”: engaging the public with brownfield sites for conservation in the U.K.

This small-scale study aims to understand what different environmental organisations are doing to engage people with brownfield sites in the U.K. Interviews with staff members from different environmental organisations found a wide range of initiatives to be in practice, including collaboration with other organisations and local schools and involving volunteer groups with maintenance of the sites. Working with volunteers and partner organisations and the management of sites were often identified as essential contributors to the success of projects. Interesting themes which arose, including the lack of demographic data and issues engaging with developers, could act as springboards for further studies.

An evaluation of Ontario public health units' practices in the redevelopment of brownfields

The revitalization of brownfields provides many health benefits. Revitalization addresses historical contamination and it allows to re-design the community with health in mind. It is recognized that public health units (PHUs) have an important role to play on brownfield sites. Information suggests that Ontario PHUs often become involved on brownfield sites but the extend of that involvement is not known. Ontario PHUs were surveyed about their involvement on brownfield sites. The results indicate that most Ontario PHUs engage in brownfield redevelopment to some extent. Public health units identified inadequate resources, expertise, and lack of training as the most critical factors affecting their response. Results of the survey were further compared with the ATSDR Brownfields/Land Revitalization Action Model. This critical analysis helped to identify key gaps and weaknesses in the current Ontario practices. The results are used to propose recommendations to enhance public health practice and to maximize community health benefits.