Jan Hercik

Military Brownfields in the Czech Republic and the Potential for their Revitalisation, Focused on their Residential Function

Abstract One of the basic transformation processes of the period since 1989 has been that of demilitarisation. Among other things, one of its consequences is the emergence of abandoned military buildings and areas - so-called military brownfields. These kinds of brownfields have a large number of specific features to which their subsequent revitalisation must necessarily be adapted. Since a large number of these areas are situated within municipalities or are directly adjacent to them, it is essential for their revitalisation to be approached with great sensitivity. This contribution deals with chosen examples of Czech revitalised post-military areas with a special view to their residential function, which is presently their dominant functional use.

La conversione dei siti militari nella Repubblica Ceca: i casi di Hodonín e Uherské Hradiste

The problem of the reuse of abandoned military sites has arisen in post-communist countries in central and eastern Europe since 1989. It brought about a sudden process of demilitarisation and a consequent loss of the original functions. The size of the armed forces has gradually been shrunk and their configuration changed, causing numerous areas and properties to be abandoned. The paper discusses the cases of two towns, Hodonin and Uherske Hradiste located in the south east of the Czech Republic, where the progressive reduction of the military presence has caused numerous barracks to be abandoned. Both towns are district capitals and have a population of over 25,000 inhabitants. Although the ways used to revitalise the towns were partly different, the restoration and renovation of the areas helped to generate development opportunities for both of them.