Approaches to reuse vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces

Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:An increased number of local authorities systematically identify and quantify vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces for reuse in neighbourhoods[1] in a context-sensitive way to address local community[1] challenges and needs.Increase in renovated, renatured, or converted spaces that address local community challenges and needs. Scope:Europe’s housing needs, inefficient use of the existing building stock, environmental commitments, and the EU’s goal of “no net land take” by 2050 make a compelling case for reusing the significant number of existing spaces, including buildings and infrastructure, that are vacant, obsolete or underutilised. In Europe, there are, for instance, an estimated 19,000 km² of underutilised brownfield land and 300 km² of vacant or underutilised office space[3].The reuse of vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces, following circularity[1] and sufficiency principles, can help address community challenges and needs thanks to their typical proximity and connection to essential infrastructure and services.While vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces are already being renovated, renatured or converted, this happens typically at individual scale or for temporary reuse. A systematic and context-sensitive approach is required that maps vacant, obsolete or underutilised spaces with potential for reuse and involves local stakeholders in the reuse process to address local community challenges and needs in the long term.It is also important to understand common reasons for the vacancy, obsolescence or underutilisation of spaces and challenges to their reuse, and to recognise that not all types of spaces are suitable for reuse. Factors can include, for example, building or infrastructure condition, location, and spatial or structural limitations; zoning regulations; legal barriers; lack of data; or lack of resources, funds, or incentives for property