CRITERIA FOR RECYCLING VACANT URBAN LANDS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DIMENSIONS

Due to the increase in the world's population, cities are growing and changing rapidly and without coordinated planning. The consequences of this growth can be observed in what is known as urban sprawl, which is characterized by scattered and chaotic growth and large numbers of unused vacant lands in downtown areas. People have negative impressions of these areas and use different terms to describe them, such as "abandoned spaces," "deserted areas," and "vacant urban lands". Recycling, in its literal meaning, is the procedure of making unserviceable products in into new remanufactured products. Applied to the vacant urban land recycling context this concept is not only inaccurate but also, sometimes contributes to the deterioration of cities. However, recycling these vacant urban lands can provide opportunities to reshape the urban fabric of the city. There is no doubt that recycling vacant urban lands is essential to achieving sustainable development in urban communities. It represents a spiritual, social, and cultural transformation of urban areas, buildings, and entire cities. In some cases, it is the driving force behind improving the urban culture. It is also a commitment to transform these urban lands aligning with new cultural, economic, and environmental uses. This commitment is achieved through reusing these lands for new purposes, such as creating public parks, developing low-cost housing: (social housing) and establishing commercial and recreational facilities that enhance the quality of urban life. Therefore, this research presents a set of criteria for recycling vacant urban lands within the city fabric to achieve sustainable development dimensions.
 
Special Issue of AEIC 2024 (Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design Session)