The development of an evaluation method using a geographic information system to determine the importance of wasteland sites as urban wildlife areas

This paper outlines an evaluation method developed to determine the value that wasteland sites have as urban wildlife areas. Wasteland sites (or brownfields) are often seen a blight on the landscape, but once colonised by plants and animals, they may be of value for the enjoyment of nature by local residents. The study aimed to develop a method for the rapid assessment of wastelands as wildlife areas, and thus provide an aid to decision-making in urban planning. The paper introduces the concept of urban wildlife area and explains the need for an evaluation method for wasteland sites. The evaluation method was developed using data from a study area in Leipzig, and was then undertaken in two study areas in the cities of Leipzig and Birmingham, respectively. The evaluation method deals with both the on-site as well as the locational characteristics of wasteland sites using four main criteria: potential for experiencing nature and usability of site (on-site criteria) and potential users of site and the importance in the greenspace strategy (locational characteristics). An explanation is given in the paper for the choice of the criteria used in the evaluation method as well as details of the scoring and aggregation systems involved. Details are given regarding programming the evaluation method into the geographic information system (ArcView) and the implementation of this extension in the study areas. The results of the evaluation are presented and discussed in the paper, as well as details of the current use of selected sites in the study areas. The possible use of the evaluation method in planning and the integration of the concept of urban wildlife areas are drawn upon in the discussion. Lastly, some difficulties associated with the method are discussed followed by suggestions for the possible further use and development of the evaluation method. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.