Re-created Urban Landscapes: Brownfields as Sustainable Public Open Spaces

Sustainable public open spaces transform deteriorated and void post-industrial landscapes into re-functioning urban units. The recovering efforts coupled with increased sustainable development awareness in the 1990s increased opportunities to re-use sites that suffered due to changing economic performances during the late 20th century. This research explored two re-created urban landscape projects planned in the 1990s with emphasis on ecological restoration and human use: Crissy Field in San Francisco, California and World Cup Park in Seoul, South Korea. This research adopted the case study method to interpret the complex environmental planning/design processes of converting former brownfields and what current users think about the re-created urban landscapes. Nine concepts and principles from sustainable urban development, landscape urbanism, and community planning/design theories frame sustainable public open space which includes the characteristics of public space and open space. Each case study conveys literature review, site analyses, post-occupancy evaluations, surveys and interview results supporting the case for re-created urban landscapes.;The case studies revealed that the converted brownfields successfully extended sustainable public open spaces in their geographic contexts through significant transformations. Most users were unaware of the sites' deteriorated past that can be communicated more effectively through creative design strategies other than signage systems. The re-created sites have adapted to changing users and adapting wildlife with the support of their responsive managements which continue to encourage potential experiences through environmental education and recreational programs. With further improvements such as engaging signage systems or legible landscape features on-site, the sustainable public open spaces will be more communicative with its users.