BERI - Brownfield European Regeneration Initiative

Public involvement is a very important factor in all aspects of the regeneration process. Early involvement of all stakeholders into the planning process is important. This ensures recognition of the community interests at an early stage and enables both the ability to react to suggestions as well as securing project acceptance among decision-makers and the wider public. Whilst public consultation and engagement is essential for all development projects it is particularly important for Brownfield regeneration as there are existing contextual influences. To be successful the entire consultation and engagement approach has to start early, involve all stakeholders and be transparent. Public participation has to be maintained as part of the ongoing development process.

The public involvement seminars and workshops were facilitated by the Belfast partner. Belfast demonstrated an effective working knowledge of public involvement within Brownfield regeneration especially with the redevelopment of the Gasworks site and the public consultation process carried out ahead of the proposed development of the North Foreshore. Belfast aimed to highlight these experiences to the benefit of the participating partners.

Seminars

Stockholm and Tallinn identified that they had a weakness when addressing public involvement in Brownfield regeneration projects. Two seminars took place in May 2007. In attendance were both public and private sector organisations representing a mix of planners & project managers:

Stockholm – 14 May 2007

presentations & report

Tallinn – 16 May 2007

presentations & report

Workshops

The resultant workshops aimed to apply the lessons learned from the public involvement seminars in a practical manner. The  workshops in Stockholm & Tallinn took place in August 2007:

Stockholm – 27 & 28 August 2007

Tallinn – 30 & 31 August 2007

workshop report