Potential of Recycling Urban Territories

Abstract

Urbanisation process is dynamic and should respond to the current needs of the society. Most of the urban fabrics of the mass housing estates in the former socialist countries, which have undergone major socio-economic changes, currently need a transformation of their spatial structure. As a result of demographic and urban changes, as well as the former non-complex strategic urban solutions, there are a number of empty spaces in the built-up structures – unused, under-utilized, less functional or dysfunctional. Research points to the potential of unused space for future urban development, with efforts to identify and find the appropriate use for these “dormant urban potentials”, which could be utilized for social, economic and environmental benefits; however, it is necessary to examine and to understand the structure of the premises in detail and in the context of differentiated hierarchy and position within the city. The aim of the article is to point to the empty, abandoned spaces in the urban structure of Bratislava, in Bratislava - Ružinov and Bratislava - Nové Mesto city districts and indicate the potential of their transformation to the new functional uses, with an emphasis on the limits of the territory and environmental sustainability. The ambition of the investigated pilot urban studies is to find an innovative town-planning model and possibilities for regeneration of the empty spaces in the fragmented structure of the prefabricated mass housing estate. Urban design proposals for non-functioning premises, undefined and often circumvented territories, forgotten “crevices” in urban fabric, try to seek relevant answers on their transformation in the form of corresponding urban solutions, complementing the existing residential structure with new features, meeting the current needs of the citizens, adding infrastructure for the activities of the local community, promoting a system of green spaces, “free” pedestrian urban landscapes, open to new interpretations of the use of space. The possibilities of recycling the unused territories have been tested through proposals valorising urban structure in order to ensure optimal social and urban development, support the hierarchy and complexity of core areas, prevent the conversion of unused sites in the lucrative areas solely for the achievement of economic gains for investors and gentrification, promote the eco-friendly development with a focus on climate change and protection of ecosystems, and ensure the optimal economic land use. The lessons learned should contribute to the sustainability of the urban structure, the revitalization of abandoned and neglected areas, and support the hierarchical system of the main nodes of the model urban area. The transformation of unused territories, the public semipublic and private spaces, brings compactness and at the same time the diversity to the urban environment, strengthens the system of green infrastructure and the variety of social interactions, which contributes to the increase of the viability, and attractiveness of the entire urban neighbourhood.