CABERNET - Concerted Action on Brownfield and Economic Regeneration Net
5th FP Contract EVK4-CT-2001-20004,
Coordinator: University of Nottingham, UK
Networking in the field of Brownfield Redevelopment
CABERNET – C oncerted A ction on B rownfield and E conomic R egeneration Net work is a European multidisciplinary expert network that is working to facilitate sustainable solutions for brownfields, which enhance social wellbeing, environmental quality and economic regeneration
Brownfields result from changes in land use and development in many regions. Finding solutions for brownfield sites is an increasingly important part of effective policies aimed at a sustainable future for land and in particular cities.
Recognising the wide range of complex issues that brownfield regeneration poses for all industrialised countries, the EC has funded this three-year initiative to examine ways to encourage sustainable management of brownfield or previously developed land.
CABERNET Vision
To enhance rehabilitation of brownfield sites, within the context of sustainable development of European cities, by the provision of an intellectual framework for coordinated research and development of tools.
The CABERNET Network
CABERNET was established in January 2002 and builds on the work of a previous network CLARINET. This is a 3-year initiative, co-ordinated by the University of Nottingham in association with the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), funded under the EC 5'" Framework programme (Key Action 4: City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage).
CABERNET represents a wide range of European perspectives, consisting of 55 Members originating from 21 countries drawn from across Europe (including the accession countries).
Eight Stakeholder Groups (Regulators, Financiers, Landowners, Developers, Professional Advisors, Technology Suppliers, Community Groups and Academics) have been assembled and these groups cover the different aspects of brownfield regeneration.
Multi-stakeholder European Forum
The Network applies a broad multi-stakeholder approach to brownfield issues by providing a forum for wide European interaction across different representative groups. CABERNET has a distinct multidisciplinary flavour, Members are drawn from across Europe (including the accession countries) and represent professional interests that span the stakeholder spectrum, from developers to policy makers through to local community representatives.
Network Objectives
The Network is focusing on four key objectives:
• improving awareness and enhancing understanding across the professional disciplines
• developing conceptual models for brownfield issues
• identifying research gaps and proposing co-ordinated research activities
• identifying best practice approaches and tools for practitioners
Working Groups and Key Issues
The second stage focuses on specific integrated issues. The Stakeholder Groups (SGs) have 'mixed' to form Working Groups. These groups are examining the complexity of the issues from a multi-stakeholder perspective ín order to enhance shared understanding and ensure integrated solutions.
Six Working Groups (WGs) have been convened from the eight SGs to form groups covering three crosscutting issues and the three sustainability components.
The Working Groups are:
• Citizen Participation and Decision Making (WG 1)
• Policy and Regulations (WG 2)
• Professional Skills (WG 3)
• Environmental Issues (WG 4)
• Social and Cultural Issues (WG 5)
• Economic Issues (WG 6)
Role of the SPECTRA Centre in CABERNET
Dagmar Petrikova, PhD is Team leader of WG5 Social and Cultural Issues and the SPECTA Centre provides consultations on spatial planning aspects concerning brownfield regeneration as well as support networking in this field among Slovak planners, local and regional councillors, public administrators and academicians.
It is supported by the European Commission, Research Directorate-General, under the Fifth Framework Programme, and is contributing to the implementation of the Key Action „The City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage“ within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Thematic Programme.
For further information on CABERNET activities and downloadable documents, please visit the CABERNET website: www.cabernet.org.uk