Exploring a Sustainable Strategy for Brownfield Regeneration. The Case of Halawah Farm, Amman City, Jordan

Brownfield sites can be considered both a challenge and a lost opportunity, since they impact negatively the surroundings and regeneration potential. Yet, brownfield regeneration can have a major role in improving city's vitality and liveability due to its multiple positive impacts on cities in general and Amman city in particular. In the last few years, Amman has grown spontaneously and quickly with no sophisticated plan to consider city dynamics that produce brownfield land. Therefore, this research aims to explore the opportunities of a comprehensive regeneration approach by understanding the complexity of a brownfield site. The work particularly addressed Halawah Farm brownfield area (in Amman municipality, which includes architectural and urban settings and currently it is an abandoned facility within a vibrant zone of the city. Contextual analysis for the research setting along with SWOT analysis helped us explore the potentials and challenges of this site. As a result, the development of a conceptual plan and application guidelines were elaborated to be employed in transforming a problematic space into a liveable one. This would be achieved by cleaning-up of site, reusing abandoned area, stimulating development opportunities, and involving locals. That is, sustainable vision considered as a tool for site rehabilitation, it especially has environmental, social, and economic focus. As a matter of fact, this study could be a good tool to simplify the paradox and complexity of this issue under study. Consequently, this will be translated into strategic plans and design guidelines for regeneration brownfield sites to enhance urban competitiveness and reduce urban sprawl.