PERCEPTION OF BROWNFILEDS REDEVELOPMENT IN

RAILWAYS
Architectural perception on derelict railways
(A case of Ernakulam old railway

Submitted by

NASLA
RLAREBC027

Guided by:

Ar. Archana

In partial fulfilment for the award of the Degree of

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT
ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE,
CHERUKULAM, MANJERY - 676122
NOVEMBER 2021
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this dissertation report is a Bonafide record of work done by Nasla
(Reg: RLAREBC027), student of Eranad Knowledge City College of Architecture,
Manjeri under the guidance of Ar. Archana. This report is submitted to the University of
Calicut in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards my guide, (Ar.Archana) for his/her
valuable inputs and comments which has been helpful in carrying out the Dissertation
and shaping the contents of this report.
I would also extend my gratitude towards the authorities, officials and local people who
provided with me their help in conducting the study and analysis without any hesitation.
I also thank my friends for their valuable advice and suggestions to improve my work.
I would also like to thank my family for their endless time and support

NASLA
Reg: RLAREBC027

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

1
 ABSTRACT

How to deal with abandoned railways that have been rendered useless or redundant by the
process of rapid urbanization and technological advancements in rail transportation has been a
pressing issue in the process of urban planning. It is thus a prevalent issue to attempt to fully
display their potential values and possibilities. Evaluate different alternatives of brownfields,
these integrated ecological, social, political, economic, recreational, accessibility, and
brownfield site-based indicators. The reuse of abandoned railways gives us a way to rebuild
urban public transport system based on traditional tracks, as well as a way to transform the city
center into an urban regeneration corridor.
The study revealed that the principles are the basic parts and simple recommendations
that may be employed in various circumstances when the goal is to establish a
sustainable and green system. However, because the local environment is so different,
we cannot just repeat an example. Instead, the local potential, such as the historical and
cultural background, should be completely used. The transformation should not be
isolated, but should always be linked to its surroundings.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

2
 CONTENTS
Acknowledgement 1

Abstract 2

Opportunities and challenges for abandoned railways 5

Research question 7

Research aim 7

Research hypothesis 7

Research objectives 7

Methodology 8

Literature review 11

CASE STUDY 17

CONCLUSION 26

References 27

Reports and Journals 27

Websites 28

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

3
INTRODUCTION
Brownfields and brownfield sites are generally characterized as property or objects
that have lost their original function and are now abandoned, unused or Brownfields
and brownfield sites are generally characterized as property or objects that have lost
their original function and are now abandoned, unused or underused. brownfield
development forms an important tool to accommodate the growing population and
urbanization pressures in urban cities. in other cases, it also has more limitations and,
will not be able to cope with the rapidly changing urban phenomenon. These
limitations can be overcome by utilizing urban core for brownfield development. When
we consider from the viewpoint of sustainable development, brownfield development is
highly desirable, which encourages the reduction of land consumption. Utilizing the
abandoned rails as a new transportation route, a vacation spot for tourism and0
commerce, and a green spaces corridor the abandoned railways are often located
in urban areas and may have a negative impact on the urban environment. They
have an impact on land development, traffic flow, the environment, and quality
of life. In some extreme cases, abandoned railways have also been suggested as
a promising source of urban decay, particularly in areas with old and derelict
shelters. However, in terms of the potential value of abandoned railways, their
reuse would benefit the surrounding region.

Converting the railway into new rail transit systems, renovating the urban land
surrounding them for economic and leisure purposes, and building new public space
systems for the city are three common options for utilizing railways. It has been
demonstrated that different reuse tactics will have diverse positive benefits on urban
space, such as improved traffic patterns,

land development opportunities, increased tourism revenue, and so on. Different

modification tactics, on the other hand, are appropriate for various real-world scenarios.
Brownfield's regeneration addresses the needs of the public by ensuring ecological,
economic, and social sustainability. Brownfield regeneration is critical to environmental
sustainability.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

4
 ■ The study evaluates a consensus-based brownfield definition in the abandoned
railway in the Ernakulam context, evaluates different alternatives regarding the
regeneration of brownfields.

■to understand how brownfield regeneration connect with a community

■ To analyze how they relate to the physical environment and socially, how it connects
to the inner city and historical value, and that can be reformulated to adopt a strong
pattern of sustainable social development.

The study investigates the origin of railway station buildings and their
characteristics and also identifies them as a unique typology and environmental and
ecological aspect of these railways.

1.1 OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR ABANDONED RAILWAYS

With the acceleration of urbanization and the extent of cities, abandoned infrastructure
has increasingly become a key issue influencing city development. Using railways as an
example - the subject of this thesis - there are currently almost one hundred abandoned
rails throughout China's major cities. These abandoned railways once contributed to the
city's economic function and were part of the city's transport system, making them an
important aspect of the city's history. However, due to a lack of maintenance and
meticulous planning, they eventually became a place concealing dirt and dust, as well as
a roadblock and a blind angle of waste, developing as a negative space of the city.
Because they have been abandoned and ignored for a long time, abandoned railways
may provide a slew of new problems for urban growth and citizens' lives.

(1) They hinder urban traffic: Some defunct railways run through the city center, directly
connected to the present traffic route; additionally, the higher tracks make it difficult for
vehicles to pass and make rear-end collisions more likely.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

5
(2) They degrade the city's landscape image: Some abandoned railways are located in
suburban areas that are not attached to the city's main traffic artery, there are grasses on
both sides and rubbish everywhere, and some criminals steal the railway tracks and
equipment to earn money, leaving the railway and local urban picture dirty and derelict.

(3) They have an impact on people's lives: The raised tracks not only impede city public
access but also pose a significant hazard to their safety, particularly for bicycles and
children who play on them. Furthermore, the weeds and debris harm the ecological
environment of the nearby communities.

Several living spaces regeneration design methodologies of urban traffic, land

regeneration, and urban public area were presented for the objective of repurposing the
rail network and urban core. First, drawing on international "rail to tram" expertise, we
propose converting the derelict railway line into an urban tram line to fulfill the city's
future growth and transportation demands. Then, based on contemporary urban
planning, a regeneration strategy for the land along the derelict railway will be
developed. The regeneration of transportation infrastructure can meet the urban mobility
and accessibility requirements. This study adds to the topic of urban regeneration by
focusing on the regeneration of transportation infrastructure. The process of reusing
urban abandoned transportation infrastructure is still in its early stages, with no
established theoretical framework. Public urban hubs linked by railway are not always
carriers of urban activity, but also locations for urban public activities. To motivate more
outdoor activities, ‘urban activities such as railway cultural exhibitions,

Before examining Brownfield, alterations and realizing the potential redevelopment

options. quires redevelopment for effective usage and connectivity to the natural
environment. However, changing brownfield lands as part of a sustainable
environmental policy is gaining popularity around the world, fueling the trend of
redeveloping brownfield sites.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

6
1.2 RESEARCH QUESTION

How does the revival of the brownfield railway lead to sustainable development?

1.3 RESEARCH AIM

The research attempt to analyse and identify how the retrieval reconstructs the public
environment by establishing a strong pattern of sustainable development.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Revival of brownfield possibly effect the environment and neighborhood.

1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. identifying and understanding the potential development models that can help in
sustainable redevelopment of brownfields

2. to study how retrieval rebuilds the public environment by creating a strong pattern of
sustainable development.

3. to study different indicators, mainly environmental and social relation with this
railway

4. To suggest the redevelopment of the brownfield railway.

5. suggest appropriate land use and landform solutions for the railway brownfield.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

7
1.6 METHODOLOGY

Type of research

● Qualitative and Quantitative Research Design

● Case Study
● Literature case study

1. Planning Greenway along the Abandoned Railway in Gwangju City, Korea

2. Nanjing Western Railway Station in Xiaguan District, China

3.Newyork city high line park.

● Analysis
● conclusion
● Live case study

Ernakulam old railway station

● Data collection methods

● Observation method

enquiry and mapping

● Analysis
● Conclusion

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

8
ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
9
ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
10
1.7 LITERATURE REVIEW

A huge amount of literature on urban regeneration analyzed the regeneration of

residential neighborhoods in China from the 1990s to the beginning of the 20th century.
The majority of previous work consists of low neighborhood residential movement in
the urban core, mirroring Western regeneration theory and criticizing the urban
redevelopment inclination to "swipe the poor out." Whereas the advantages of inner
cities' location have been recognized, research on how transportation system contributes
to regeneration has not been adequately investigated. Furthermore, the majority of urban
transition and urban regeneration philosophy focuses on the physical rehabilitation of
residential areas. As a result, the first half of this study will examine various methods for
repurposing derelict railways based on a literature review. Enhancing public transport
may play a larger part in worldwide urban redevelopment in the twenty-first century.
This journal's structure is as follows: The first section includes the advantages of various
reuse methods in the urban neighborhood [Ma Y, Jiang H, Bian Y (2015) Landscape
path of abandoned railway in Kwangzhou Greenway Park, Korea. Ind Build 10:65–68],
as well as the types of urban environments to which different regeneration strategies
adapt. The study focused on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, in Zhangjiakou City will
be discussed in the following section as an example of how to merge three parameters
along the same railway.

According to reviewed research, there are three types of reuse modes for disused
railways: traffic facilities, tourist and commercial attractions, and public areas for
people. The railway transportation research aspects that lead to urban regeneration.
(Syms P (2000) Urban regeneration: a handbook. Reg Stud 34:896–897)

Fig. 1

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

11
From: Reuse of Abandoned Railways Leads to Urban Regeneration: A Tale from a Rust
Track to a Green Corridor in Zhangjiakou

Fig. 2

From: Reuse of Abandoned Railways Leads to Urban Regeneration: A Tale from a Rust
Track to a Green Corridor in Zhangjiakou

The research framework of rail transportation leading to urban regeneration

The Retrieve of an Unused Railway as an Urban Public Environment

Some authors discussed the restoration of the abandoned railway as a green public space
from the standpoints of ecological value and landscape design, while some
acknowledged how the reuse result encourages the quality of community life for people.
The most prevalent environmental reuse strategy in the world has been to convert
abandoned railways into multifunctional paths for walking, cycling, horse riding, ice

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

12
skating, and other similar activities. Rails-to-Trails, a highly successful scheme in the
United States, has transferred many vacant railways into parkways.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservation group is a non-profit association that promotes

converting abandoned railways into parkways that are broadly used across the United
States. The most well-known project in the United States has been New York's High
Line Park, which transferred abandoned elevated freight railways into an elevated
parkway for public transport use, allowing a spike in new urban development and
nearby land values along the route. The High Line Park has become a milestone in New
York City. As a result, the Rails-to-Trails program has spread across Europe, Asia, and
Australia, among other places. Numerous greenways have been generated from
abandoned railways in Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, and
other countries, creating greenway channels for cyclists and pedestrians across the world
(Rail to Trails, 2019).

In Portugal and Italy, two examples of revitalizing abandoned railways [ Oppido S,

Ragozzino S (2014) Abandoned railways, renewed pathways: opportunities for
accessing landscapes. Adv Eng Forum 11:424–432] into greenways can be found. Both
agreed that the greenway intends to create a positive converter of urban important
function nodes that promotes economic growth and improves urban public life, rather
than simply replacing abandoned railways. Ferretti and Digiouanni proposed several
viable reuse options for a vacant railway in the Piedmont Region. They emphasized that
reusing abandoned railways includes a lot of economic, environmental, and social
factors. It also involves a variety of stakeholders. Using the multi-attribute value theory
(SAVT), they assessed the physiological goals of all stakeholders and proposed
observable quantitative assessment strategies to identify the best way to convert the
abandoned railway. To identify the optimal reuse remedy of abandoned railways, a
post-event evaluation (PFA) model.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

13
 Reusing Abandoned Railways for Tourism and Commercial Development

There have also been some successful cases of vacant railways being repurposed for
tourism and commercial purposes. Abandoned railways have become a tourist attraction
as a remnant of industrial culture. In Paris, for example, the Osei Museum was created
from a long-abandoned railway station. The Little Billy Railway in Australia and the Jiji
Town Railway Trip Line in Taiwan are both well-known examples of repurposed tourist
routes. It was recommended that in the situation of the Hijaz Rail system in the Middle
East, reduce and recycle plans must take advantage of both the historical importance and
the linear benefits that are available inherent in railway lines. (Olendzki A (2008) A
railway ‘route’ as a linear heritage attraction: the Hijaz railway in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. J Heritage Tour 3:159–175).

The Hijaz Railway Line has been revived as a tourist route, preserving a significant
feature of Islamic culture. Historical attractions and main tourist attractions were built
along the converted line. Italy. investigated the scientific and cultural impact of
historical buildings somewhere along the Middle East Railway Trunk Line in China, and
also the connection among buildings and the qualities of society and culture in the
region, to guide the preservation of cultural and historic building structures along the
Middle East Railway Mainline. So, several areas across the abandoned railway lines in
China have been converted into prominent cultural and commercial centers, such as
Qianmin Street in Beijing's old city. In some of these cases, vacant land across a
decommissioned railway line that has been transformed as a cultural, tourist, and
commercial project has become an essential part of the urban features and helps bring
economic advantages to the community.

The study was based on the regeneration of the Virginia Creeper Trail (VCT) from
vacant railways in the United States in the research on the Virginia Creeper Rail Trail.
Bowker et al. monitored and approximated the local economy's direct, indirect, and

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

14
qualitative effects. According to research on the reuse of unused railway routes in the
historical area of Italy, sustainable regeneration should consider the unique
characteristics of specific locations and make full benefit of them to re-establish trains
that match people's demands. Australian academics assessed the growth of derelict
railway lines for bicycles in Australia. Long-distance train tracks, they claimed,
necessitate meticulous planning and design in terms and conditions of facilities and
infrastructure.

Vacant Railways as Traffic Facilities: A Regeneration Approach

Many scholars are interested in the idea of repurposing derelict railways as new
transport systems in cities. It is sometimes proposed that derelict railways be converted
into urban railway networks, such as light rail, urban tram lines, suburban trains, or
urban motorways with a mix of present transportation systems. Many urban trains were
built in tandem with cities, ensuring that they are always in the heart of the city, where
there is a reasonably huge population. The derelict rails in Tianjin City's Binhai Area are
a well-known case in China. This has been planned that present railway tracks be
converted into transit lines to construct new railway systems for improving traffic
patterns in Tianjin City's newly built districts. In Tianjin, it would create a "one ring and
three lines" suburban railway system.

Another case study in China demonstrated how to repurpose derelict tracks from the
defunct Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway station in Shangraw City. Several derelict lines might
be set up for future urban railway construction, although others could be designated for
urban expansion, according to one proposal. The Yiwu portion of the derelict
Zhejiang-Jiangxi Line was the subject of similar research. Due to the current state of the
surrounding urban transportation infrastructure, estimates of upcoming urban growth,
and future transportation requirements, the transformation of the derelict railway into a
rail corridor has also been recommended. Eizaguirre-Iribar et al. highlighted the traffic
potential of derelict railways as cycling lanes, and their researchers examined non-motor
vehicle availability of linear railway infrastructure at various scales.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

15
Aside from derelict railway lines, studies have concentrated on how to rebuild the region
around former railway lines. Shen [Shen J (2012) Research on the function of urban rail
transit in idle railway hubs] emphasizes the importance of adapting derelict railways in
regions to regenerate areas in his study on establishing an urban rail transportation
system from abandoned railways. Financing options, reuse methods, and transportation
options must all be carefully considered. Accordingly, suggestions have been made that
the abandoned railway be utilized as a new urban transit network, taking into account
various characteristics of railway systems, technologies, and implementation
methodologies.

Abandoned railways are repeatedly detected in urban areas and may have detrimental
consequences for the urban area. They have an impact on regional development, vehicle
traffic, the ecology, and people's quality of life. Abandoned railways are frequently cited
by transportation authorities as a source of road congestion because they obstruct
vehicles and partition urban areas other researchers have found that abandoned railways
result in reduced property prices and fewer future developments and that they are
frequently urban poverty that leads to a low-quality urban environment surrounding
[Wang J, Xiang Y, Luo Y (2010) Urban abandoned railway planning strategy based on
the concept of green corridor. Northern Horti cult]. These derelict railways are
frequently disregarded and left in many Chinese cities.

Therefore, in the perspective of prospective value, repurposing derelict railways

would benefit the community. Railways, even when abandoned, frequently take up
prime metropolitan real estate. Furthermore, if utilized properly, the linear physical
space in the city Centre can serve as a vital connection, increasing the possibility of
connecting functional hubs along the railway line. As a picture of industrial history, as
well as the rise and decline of cities, the abandoned rails could be considered valuable
cultural heritage [Shen J (2012) Research on the function of urban rail transit in idle
railway hubs.]

The above literature review provides three transformation modes: as a public area,
as a transportation hub, as a location for commercial and tourism revitalization, and also

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

16
as a transportation hub The two additional tasks will be completed by this paper: On
only one hand, it will assess the implementation breadth of the three regeneration modes
to choose the most appropriate transformation method for specific scenarios. On the
other hand, it will analyze the three modes' key improvements on the neighboring urban
area to identify how to integrate the good effects of these three methods in the case of
this research. In a summary, the challenges of urban derelict railway redevelopment
contribute to existing urban renewal ideas in terms of urban movement. The method of
transportation is best suited to places where there is a need for public transit along with
train networks. A better, more functional transportation system will help to improve
public transit while also increasing the value of the land. The business and travel
regeneration approach is most suited to adjacent railways or culturally significant
locations, as well as cities with major tourism sectors or commercial environments. By
preserving the ancient tracks and stations, it will aid in reconstruction and improve both
tourism revenue and land value. The urban open spaces mode is best suited to locations
with a scarcity of public green space. Urban green space and greenways developed from
derelict railways become public urban infrastructure in the city, giving residents green
space while also linking municipal public service centers. According to studies,
converting derelict railways into parks and green zones has not only enhanced the urban
environment but has also enhanced neighboring land prices for homes

1.8 CASE STUDY

Case study I Nanjing Western Railway Station in Xiaguan District

This review concentrates on the transition of an abandoned railway area using

the greenway concept, intending to provide a fresh design proposal for the area near the
abandoned Nanjing West Railway Station, utilizing local culture and history to establish
a comprehensive greenway and a lively district that connects back to the rest of the city.
To attain this purpose, the greenway concept was employed as a theoretical foundation
and to guide the design plan. The literature on the greenway concept was first
researched, and six principles were drawn from a thorough comprehension of the
concept to serve as guidelines for applying the greenway approach to the transformation

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

17
of an abandoned railway. The analysis of the literature identified six guiding principles:
linearity, connectivity, accessibility, multi-function, non-motorization, and sustainability.

Xiaguan is a historical district in Nanjing that was previously a transit hub for both
waterways and railways. The West Line Station was closed to passengers in 2012, and
most portions of the railways have been derelict, causing social, aesthetic, and
environmental issues on the railway and in the adjacent communities. Taking into mind
the local context, a design plan was developed to ameliorate the current situation. The
design suggestion was motivated by the Greenway approach principles as well as
examples from other cases examined. The case study revealed that the principles are the
basic aspects and simple recommendations that may be employed in various
circumstances when the goal is to establish a greenway. However, because the local
environment is so different, we cannot just repeat an example. Instead, the local
potential, such as the historical and cultural background, should be completely used. The
transition should not be isolated but to always connect with the surrounding areas. This
was the goal of the design plan for the renovated abandoned railway, which would
eventually become a minor section of the greenway system in Xiaguan District and even
Nanjing.

Aim and Research Question

This study aims at making a design proposal for the revival and transformation of the
area around the abandoned Nanjing West Railway Station, following the principles of
the Greenway approach, and that makes use of local culture and history to create a lively
district that connects back to the rest of the city and establish a local greenway system.

and Research Question

How the greenway concept and its working principles can be used in the transformation
of an abandoned railway area in Xiaguan District, Nanjing?

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

18
 Introduction to the case

Nanjing Xiaguan District Xiaguan District, one of Nanjing's six administrative regions,
is located in the northern portion of the city (Figure 1-1, 1-2). It has a total size of
around 30.91km2, which includes 24.29km2 of land territory and 6.62km2 of river
territory. Roughly 300,000 people are living there, and 6 neighborhoods with 57
communities are administered.

Fig.1-1 The location of Xiaguan District in Nanjing and the main city area (source:
Nanjing Planning Department, 2010)

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

19
Fig.1-2 The main road network and railway system around Xiaguan District (source:
made by author)

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

20
Fig.1-3 Timeline of the historical events that happened in Xiaguan District mainly on
the Nanjing West Railway Station (source: made by author)

With the development of highways and railways, the water transport of the Yangtze
River was heavily impacted and began to decline, leaving the valuable waterfront along
the river occupied with factories and piers that were nearly abandoned and dusty yards.
Some railways in Xiaguan were also abandoned in conjunction with the extension of the
railway lines. As a result of the loss of traffic supremacy, regional urban functions were
weakened, and Xiaguan's economic and social development entered a bottleneck era and
was gradually marginalized. As a result, it requires extensive renewal.

Challenges

Most of the railway in Xiaguan District has been abandoned; however, the track
remains, but weeds and debris have taken over (Figure 1-4). The surrounding road
network is disorganized (Figure 1-5), the housing quality and environment are
deplorable, and many historic structures are in disrepair (Figure 1-6). The streetscape is
disorganized and monotonous, and several fish markets along the roadway harm traffic
and the environment; some illegal shantytowns have sprouted up near the train tracks
(Figure 1-7). The most basic public infrastructure and environmental qualities are
deplorable, contributing to a lack of regard for the site's history and culture.

figure 1.1: Weeds and rubbish on the abandoned railway

Source: https://ekc.edu.in/photos
Figure 1.1: The abandoned railway across the urban road
Source: https://ekc.edu.in/photos

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

21
Figure 1.1: The demolished buildings Source: https://ekc.edu.in/photos

Figure 1.11 the Shantytown along the abandoned railway

Opportunities

Xiaguan, on the other hand, has an excellent position because it is near to the Yangtze
River, and the Huimin River, which is connected to the Yangtze River, flows through
this district. It will create an opportunity for riverfront green space. Close to this
location, there are also several public green places, such as natural scenery, urban parks,
and the city wall with vegetation on both sides, which can be linked via the greenway.
From a cultural standpoint, Xiaguan has a rich history, and several historical buildings
and monuments have been preserved, which may serve to the greenway design in
expressing Xiaguan 's history and culture.

Nanjing is attempting to establish an eco-city, and the government or some associated

ministries have attempted to build greenways in Nanjing in recent years. Three primary
greenways, including the city-wall circular greenway, the Inner-Qinhuai River
greenway, and the canopy-road greenway, are intended to serve as a guiding framework

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

22
for new green space selection, configuration, and continuity, as well as to connect
existing parks. Furthermore, the public and the government prefer a complete trail
system, primarily for pedestrians and bicycles (Jim, Chen, 2003). In that instance,
political support can be obtained to convert the rails to trails and incorporate them into
the city's greenway.

The Advantages of Greenways

Greenways provide at least three important benefits (Fabos, 1995), and some indirect
benefits are also reflected in the long run.

(1) Ecological benefits

Greenways protect the ecologically significant natural systems: mostly along rivers,
coastal areas, and ridgelines; maintain bio-diversity and provide for wildlife migration.
When applied to the derelict railway transition, greenway linearity can improve the
linkage of natural features in the landscape, boost habitat connectivity, and improve the
flow and transfer of nutrients, species, and energy, so minimizing landscape
fragmentation (Xiang, 1996). Furthermore, the greenway construction may connect the
landscape along the railway, widening the area is covered by the greenway to establish a
stable, continuous urban green network system, enhance the ecological environment of
the city, and contribute to the city's sustainable development.

(2) Recreational/Social benefits

Greenway systems not only provide a far better and more delightful natural
environment, but also significant recreational options in metropolitan and rural areas for
walking, hiking, bicycling, swimming, and boating, among many other outdoor
recreational activities. As an alternative transportation corridor, greenways can connect
origins and destinations while providing magnificent scenery along the way, allowing

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

23
pedestrians and bicycles to get to and from areas they want to go (Conine, Xiang, Young
and Whitley, 2004).

Thus, the derelict railway segment centered on recreational and culture will make fully
rational use of urban land and construct more green buildings to serve local inhabitants
with a green exchange open space. Parts of the railway can be used to prevent ecological
erosion, preserve the original remains, and so become a popular trail for backpackers,
photographers, and hikers.

(3) Cultural benefits

The abandoned railway experienced the economic growth and historical evolution of a
city and a region, and it carries a generation's history and culture. As a result, throughout
the transition process, we can use the greenway concept to either maintain it, which will
invoke the citizens' memories of urban history, or to give it a new meaning, which may
draw more young people and tourists from other locations, promoting local cultural
exchanges.

(4) Economic benefits.

After the transformation and renewal based on greenway theory, the new railway
improves the overall image of the city and expresses the urban culture. Through a
combination of the surrounding land-use planning, enriching the tourism resources of
the city to attract the residents and visitors from other places, stimulating the
consumption of local transport, catering and accommodation it contributes to the
economic development of the urban district.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

24
Conclusion

Greenways' historical importance in various areas can be convinced by their multiple

benefits, and I also feel that greenways can assist make towns more active and
welcoming places to live. As it can assist residents living in communities in ensuring
that their areas are safe to live in, allowing them to escape the city's heavy traffic and
save time to spend with their family and friends, and youngsters can safely walk or bike
to a park, school, or a neighbor's home.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

25
 CHAPTER 1. CONCLUSION

Sustainability: This principle was not as evident as the others, but it can be conveyed
through sustainable ecosystem, sustainable culture and history, and sustainable
community and living. Because designing a green and sustainable on an abandoned
railway is ad time-consuming process, this idea should be studied in the long term
through all of the variables of the local context. What we can do now is strive to make
the new planning properly fitted to local conditions, examine the flexible aspects as
much as possible in the designing process and prepare for them, and, most importantly,
maintenance may significantly contribute to sustainable growth. The transformation of
the abandoned railway included multidisciplinary viewpoints such as urban planning,
urban rail transit, rail technology, landscape ecology, and ecological restoration, as well
as being heavily influenced by the complicated local context such as topography,
vegetation coverage, and public participation.

This study examines projects involving the construction of greenspace on brownfield

property and proposes objectives that such projects should satisfy to be considered
sustainable. A thorough review of the policy background reveals that brownfield
regeneration to greenspace projects are frequently marketed as inherently sustainable, a
notion that is contested.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

26
 REFERENCES

REPORTS AND JOURNALS

[1] Erickson, D. and Louisse, A. (1997) Greenway Implementation in Metropolitan

Regions: A Comparative Case Study of North American Examples. National
Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Washington,
DC.
[2] Flink, C. and Searns, R. (1993) Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design and
Development. Washington: Island Press.
[3] Fábos, J., Milde, G. and Weinmayr, M. (1968) Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr.;
Founder of Landscape Architecture in America, MIT Press, Cambridge.
[4] Fábos, J. (2004) Greenway planning in the United States: its origins and recent
case studies. Landscape and Urban Planning, 68(2-3): 321–342.

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

27
[5] [Ma Y, Jiang H, Bian Y (2015) Landscape path of abandoned railway in
Kwangzhou Greenway Park, Korea. Ind Build 10:65–68]
[6] (Syms P (2000) Urban regeneration: a handbook. Reg Stud 34:896–897)
[7] [ Oppido S, Ragozino S (2014) Abandoned railways, renewed pathways: opportunities
for accessing landscapes. Adv Eng Forum 11:424–432]
[8] (Olendzki A (2008) A railway ‘route’ as a linear heritage attraction: the Hijaz railway in
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Heritage Tour 3:159–175)
[9] [Wang J, Xiang Y, Luo Y (2010) Urban abandoned railway planning strategy
based on the concept of green corridor. Northern Horticult]
[10] Lindsey, G. (2003) Sustainability and Urban Greenways. Journal of
American Planning Association, 69(2): 165-180.
[11] Little, C. (1990) Greenways for America, London: The Johns Hopkins Press
Ltd, 1-25.
[12] Mugavin, D. (2004) Adelaide’s Greenway: River Torrens linear park.
Landscape Urban Planning, 68(2-3): 223-240.
[13] Miao, P. (2011) Brave New City: Three Problems in Chinese Urban Public
Space since the 1980s. Journal of Urban Design, 16(2): 179–207.
[14] ü Jeong, Bonghyun, Development of Integrated Transport Planning Policies
for Sustainable Urban Structure in Gwangju, Journal of the Korean Regional
Development Association, Vol. 13, No. 1, The Korean Regional Development
Association, March 2001

WEBSITES

[1] https://ekc.edu.in/photos
[2] https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4347/htm-Development of a Standard
Brownfield Definition,
Guidelines, and Evaluation Index System for Brownfield Redevelopment in
Developing Countries: file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/brownfieldsguide.pdf
[3] file:///ClUsersiUser/Documents/cleaning_up_brownfield_sites.pdf
https://casestudies.uli.org/tag/brownfield/

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

28
[4] https://www.talgov.com/sustainability/brownfields.aspx
https://www.tcrpc-pa.org/brownfield-redevelopment
[5] https://dehs.umn.edu/sites/dehs.umn.edu/files/benefits_of
brownfield_redevelopmentjuly2016.pdf
[6] https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Spatial-Pattern-of-Brownfield-Greenfiel
d-across-A-Majumdar/3b0
23e71f7c489805d7a699caf99c6b72bd76529#paper-header
[7] Spatial Pattern of Brownfield-Greenfield development across Urban-Rural
Transition: A case study of Kolkata Metropolitan Area-
[8] https://ijera.com/papers/vollOno5/Series-3/F1005033338.pdf
ACE-Proceedings-2018_Paper_42.pdf
[9] http://www.mcrg.ac.in/6thCSC/6thCSC_Full_Papers/Souvanic.pdf
[10] Cities, Spaces and Great Places: The Blog, 2011. Paris’ Viaduc des Arts and
the Promenade Plantee. [online] Available at: [Accessed 8 April 2013]
[11] Friends of the High Line, 2000. Park Information. [online] Available at:
[Accessed 6 April 2013]
[12] Le Viaduc des Arts, 2012. History. [online] Available at: <
http://www.leviaducdesarts.com/decouvrir> [Accessed 8 April 2013]
[13] Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2001. The Benefits of Rail-Trails. [online]
Available at: [Accessed 28 March 2013]
[14] Shapiro, G., 2011. Looking, Moving, Gathering: Functions of the High Line.
[online] Available at: [Accessed 5 April 2013]

ERANAD KNOWLEDGE CITY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

29