Transformation of Brownfields in Western Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines the concept of brownfields, which gained popular-ity in the 1990s, and explores successful foreign experience in brownfield redevel-opment. Brownfields became widespread in Europe after the collapse of socialism due to deindustrialization and outdated industries, especially in Central and Eastern European countries like Ukraine. Despite the challenges, recent geopolitical events have brought changes to brownfield utilization policies in Ukraine. The authors analyze the factors influencing their formation, highlighting the role of historical, temporal, and internal geographical factors in reconstruction models. The article investigates the potential of brownfields for revitalizing economically developed territories through functional transformation, emphasizing the effectiveness of cre-ating industrial parks on abandoned lands. Special attention is given to studying the experience of using neglected territories that were previously industrialized within regions in western Ukraine. The Russian-Ukrainian war has had a significant impact on this situation, leading to the relocation of enterprises from hazardous regions. The research indicates a correlation between the location of post-industrial devel-oped projects and their subsequent use. Despite their significance, brownfields in the Western Ukrainian region primarily former enterprises from the planned econ-omy era, often remain overlooked. Their attractiveness for reconstruction depends on location, available infrastructure, logistics, and the investment climate. The use of brownfields in the region involves creating industrial parks to rejuvenate eco-nomic activity or relocating enterprises from conflict-affected areas.