Strategic redevelopment of brownfield sites in Tehran, Iran

A phenomenon that every city encounters nowadays is brownfield sites, which exist on different scales and in all parts of a city. These sites, which once had a proper use, are now unable to play their role due to various reasons and, in most cases, are therefore abandoned. These properties are not only unable to meet the needs and expectations of citizens and authorities, but they also reduce the vitality of the urban environment. The redevelopment of brownfield sites in order to utilise existing structures and resources has been the subject of interest for many specialists and professionals. Many studies have been conducted to identify the challenges of brownfield redevelopment from different perspectives such as the environmental sciences, urban planning and design and so on. However, a lack of design-led products is obvious due to the extent of concepts in this field of study. This paper addresses the problem of brownfield sites in Tehran, Iran, and defines the historical process that has created them. It argues for the necessity of identifying and mapping brownfields at a strategic level. In addition, the paper suggests a comprehensive categorisation of brownfield sites within Tehran based on the design dimensions of brownfield redevelopment.