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8737883 
Journal Article 
Brownfields and new cultural milieus: On the value and dilemma of tempo-rary uses 
Klaus, P 
2008 
175 
4 
73-76 
German 
Abandoned industrial areas are tar-gets for urban regeneration and new uses, such as shopping centers, offices and luxury housing. During the planning process and the search for investors, brownfield sites are let to temporary users. A wide range of artists, cultural entrepre-neurs, small businesses and manufacturers set-tle into the areas. Relatively low rents make the spaces attractive for such activities. Most owners welcome these tenants as they bring in reason-able income as well as investing in the rooms and infrastructure and improving the image of the area with musicals, theatres, etc. Hence, planners, the public and social scientists paid little attention to the value and significance of the interim activities themselves. A recent re-search project has shown that more than forty percent of the enterprises in such areas belong to the creative industries. The rate of business start-ups is clearly above average and the impact on the local economy is considerable. Innovative activities have a high presence, an avant garde emerges in cultural areas, and future expec-tations for businesses are good. The dilemma arises when these enterprises come under pres-sure to leave when the plans for redevelopment and new spaces are ready. As the importance of creative areas for the life and future of a city is now being recognized, the 'straight' path to re-development is being reconsidered. Alternative pension funds seem to be one way out of the di-lemma.