Brownfields in Ukraine: Depressed Territories or Spaces of Multifaceted Opportunities

Derelict territories, including industrial ones, despite their negative image, hold great potential for transformation into innovative physical structures with high intellectual, cultural, ecological, and visual value. This process requires comprehensive theoretical research for their further implementation in practical terms. Military events in Ukraine, while having a significantly negative impact on various aspects of life, have necessitated a reevaluation of various areas, including achieving a balance between societal, environmental, and economic development. The present study explores the concept of “brownfields” and highlights theoretical aspects of addressing this issue in scientific sources. It examines the specific considerations for using brownfields in Ukraine. Using the case study of Kryvyi Rih, the country’s most powerful industrial center currently located in a front-line territory, pre-war trends in researching the possibilities of brownfield revitalization are revealed. Directions for the further use of different types of brownfields depending on the development of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict are highlighted. Field study of the city’s brownfields is conducted, and PEST analysis reveals that Kryvyi Rih has significant potential for their redevelopment. However, under the current unfavorable security situation, achieving sustainable development in these abandoned territories remains challenging.