[CPEO-BIF] Czech Republic develops broad BF regeneration strategy

[bobh@np.craigslist.org]

For those interested in the European approach to brownfields regeneration and how
it differs from ours, the article below will make interesting reading. Brownfields,
for example, are classified as "plots of land, buildings or combinations of both
that are either abandoned or not used effectively and which may be contaminated". 
And perhaps stretching the promise of brownfields redevelopment a bit too far, in
one particular rhapsodic moment, the Belgian-based brownfield developer quoted in
the article, describes abandoned sites as "brown beauties".

Bob

A perfect mess

Czech Business Weekly
Martina Mareèková, 11. 06. 2007

Waste not, want not?-specialist firms are rubbing their hands at the prospect of
billions of crowns being spent on regenerating the country?s more than 3,000
brownfield sites by 2025.

?This country used to be the industrial heart of Europe, but after the industry
restructuring period of the 1990s, many industrial sites remain abandoned and some
of them are heavily contaminated. These are perfect potential projects for us.? So
said Joris Goossens, managing director of Belgium-based brownfield developer PSR,
as he told CBW just how much rich promise abandoned sites sometimes known as ?brown
beauties? can offer companies such as his.

With opportunities for greenfield development becoming scarce, Czech authorities
are increasingly switching their focus to the regeneration of vacant brownfield
sites that no longer serve their original purposes. State business development and
investment agency CzechInvest has just completed its national brownfield
regener-ation strategy, which aims to restore swathes of brownfield
sites?classified as plots of land, buildings or combinations of both that are
either abandoned or not used effectively and which may be contaminated?up and down
the country.

For the entire article, see:
http://www.cbw.cz/phprs/2007061168.html

Bob Hersh

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