Biophilic Regeneration of Brownfields Towards Inclusive and Adaptive Landscape

Abstract

Brownfields represent complex challenges in contemporary urbanism. They are often polluted and socially neglected, yet they hold strong potential for ecological restoration, public space creation, and the reactivation of urban identity. As cities move toward more sustainable futures, these landscapes require approaches going beyond economic redevelopment. This thesis explores how biophilic regeneration can transform them into multifunctional public environments. Drawing from brownfield regeneration theory and biophilic urbanism, the study identifies a knowledge gap in integrating biophilic principles into regeneration methodologies. While ecological restoration and cultural reuse are widely discussed, fewer frameworks examine simultaneously enhancement of heritage continuity and long-term adaptivity. Therefore, the study develops a biophilic regeneration framework based on ecological restoration, water and flood adaptation, green connectivity, spatial experience, multi sensory, heritage legibility, and human–nature co-existence. These parameters are analysed through best practices to understand how design elements can act as practical indicators. The framework is then tested on the Klippan water front in Gothenburg, where the future relocation of Stena Line creates a potential brownfield condition. QGIS-based mapping and historical analysis are used to identify access gaps, flood-prone areas, greenery needs, historical traces, and possible zones for intervention. The proposal translates the framework into spatial strategies through multi sensory water-based design and and enhancement of maritime-industrial heritage. The process concludes that brownfields can become adaptive green-blue urban landscapes when ecological, sensory, technical, and cultural aspects are designed together. Water functions as both flood infrastructure and multi-sensory experience, planting supports both biodiversity and atmosphere, and heritage becomes part of everyday public life through preservation and guideline for biophilic regeneration of waterfront brownfields and can move beyond one site-specific proposal, while still requiring contextual analysis to become practical in each location. However, the research remains conceptual and mainly qualitative. Further studies could add technical brown field parameters, stakeholder involvement, and quantitative indicators to measure the success of the framework across different sites.