2016 Volume 79 Issue 5 Pages 555-558
In recent years, regeneration of brownfields can be seen in many places, but like all public open spaces they are competing for scarce resources for their continuing management. This study aims to clarify the landuse changes and formation of partnerships of open spaces by greening brownfields in Northwich Woodlands, Cheshire, UK. Research methods are based on literature review, interviews with representatives of the Mersey Forest and local authority agents, and field observation. From the findings, it became evident that majority of greening brownfields took place in the 1990s and 2000s in parallel with conservation of historical and industrial heritage, which took a longer period of time for environmental improvements in some cases. The main challenge is now to continue the management of the open spaces since the works had been completed. Partnerships with a range of parties is the key factor; because of Northwich Woodlands has a variety of open spaces covering an area of over 300 hectares to attract a variety of sources of funds and staffs, as well as to raising its profile to the public owing to the limited access in the past. Coordination with the community is greatly enhanced through an active group of volunteers.
