Brownfield Regeneration in Emerging Policy Contexts: Applying the PIB Framework in Iran

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore how integrated policy frameworks can advance brownfield regeneration in emerging policy contexts characterized by fragmented governance. Drawing on Iran as an illustrative case, it assesses institutional, legal and policy readiness, identifies barriers to effective land reuse, and offers insights for developing context-sensitive and cross-sectoral strategies for sustainable urban redevelopment.

Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative, comparative research design grounded in the Policy Integration for Brownfields (PIB), an analytical tool for assessing integration between environmental and urban policy domains. Drawing on documentary analysis and semistructured interviews, the PIB framework is applied to identify five barriers to brownfield regeneration: institutional misalignment across governance levels; regulatory conflicts between municipalities and developers; a narrow policy focus on deteriorated housing; the absence of a legislative framework for brownfields; and technical limitations in existing soil quality guidelines.

Findings Through the analytical lens of the PIB, five key barriers to brownfield regeneration were identified: institutional misalignment across governance levels, regulatory conflicts between municipalities and developers, a narrow focus on deteriorated housing, absence of legislative frameworks for brownfields and technical limitations of soil quality guidelines. These challenges create a fragmented, reactive policy environment dominated by short-term economic priorities, limiting sustainable land reuse and environmental protection.

Originality/value This study contributes to research on brownfield regeneration in emerging policy contexts by applying the PIB framework to Iran, where contaminated land remains conceptually unclear, legally undefined and institutionally fragmented. The findings offer both theoretical contributions to PIB and practical guidance for policymakers seeking to develop context-sensitive brownfield strategies.