Towards a strategy of regeneration of urban landscape: Brownfields as a strategic resource

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of transformation of urban landscape, especially its green structure, in the context of urbanisation understood as a complex socio ‐ spatial process possessing both global and local characteristics. This new urban landscape extends beyond the traditional relations between the city center and periphery as two distinct categories; hence the research explores the transformation of Banja Luka’s rural suburbia and historic city center. The problems identified concern a quantitative reduction in the green structure being transformed into construction land, a reduction in the diversity of its spatial patterns and the creation of new images of urban landscape not originating in the urban identity and tradition. As a possible approach to this issue it is proposed to devise an interdisciplinary urban landscape regeneration strategy, which would feature an integrated approach to green structure preservation, planning and design. The research has identified neglected areas, called brownfields in the city planning jargon, as a special category of urban space to be used as an instrument for the preservation and improvement of urban landscape.