REFINA

Optimization of the site development for polluted, unused properties

General information about optirisk®

The goal of optirisk® is the optimization of the site development for polluted, unused properties. The result: "Integrated Site Development Concepts" which optimize investment needs, improving the chances of reactivating polluted properties.

Thereby, the first step for each and every site is:
a) developing the most suitable urban planning desig,
b) defining relative goals for environmental quality and cleanup operations,
c) deriving options for employing renewable energies.

The following conversion of the urban planning design into an "Integrated Site Development Concept" considers the spatial distribution of the pollution and the energetic potential so that the costs for the site development remain as low as possible.

Tools

a) Urban development

This system for the evaluation of urban planning designs helps to compare the different interests of potential decision makers. Urban planning drafts, with a variety of different utilization ideas, are objectively compared with one another. This ensures that decision makers will select the plan that best harmonizes with overarching city development ideas and concepts. In a matrix, priorities belonging to four categories – cityscape and landscape, construction and space structures, conflict potential and potential revaluation/stabilization issues – are considered and weighed for each specific site.

b) Environment

With the MESOTES method (ancient Greek for „moderate“, „commensurate“), the site specific goals for environmental quality are defined with respect to the commensurate levels. As a result, the necessary measurements for danger reduction (liability risk and claim risk) can be isolated from other investment risks and subsequently visualized in a risk prognosis model. The risk prognosis model reveals the monetary requirements for ecological issues associated with realizing the respective urban planning – even for different foundation depths.

c) Energy

In the context of cleanup operations, options concerning energy efficiency, sustainability and profitability inevitably come to light; for example, the use of longterm heat storage in connection with KWK or solar heat. The heat storage could, theoretically, be positioned where an excavation is necessary. With the decision algorithm EPASch, the most suitable application of renewable energies for designated future use can be derived for the specific site.

Integrated Site Development Concepts

In optirisk® the results of the risk prognosis model are used to optimize the urban planning concept, so that the costs for the elimination of claim and investments risks remain as low as possible. However, the construction plan may not be distorted to the extent that it loses its functional and aesthetic properties.

To a certain extent, allocated charges resulting from the elimination of the claim risk can be balanced through the optimization of the urban planning concept. However, this presupposes consideration of problems caused by old pollution during the preliminary phases of the city development and planning processes. The Integrated Site Development Concept developed on this basis allows for an optimization of the investment needs, improving the chances of reactivating polluted properties.

Pros

Along with the project results mentioned above, optirisk® produces transparency in regards to environmentally relevant facts. It often helps to cast new light on old pollution as well as on the profitability of future utilizations.

Cons

optirisk® cannot replace the required planning for renovation and new construction projects.

Prerequisites

In order to instantly apply optirisk®, sufficient data for each location should be provided (master data, environmentally relevant facts, history, etc.). Unused intra-urban develop sites are especially applicative.

Target groups

municipality, planners, real estate owners, investors

Experience with practical implementation

optirisk® is not an automated instrument; it cannot replace the knowledge and understanding of participating disciplines, instead it connects them together. optirisk® is especially useful for small and medium sized commercial properties. Its advantages are efficient feasibility and transparency.

In dealing with bigger and more complex sites, it will be helpful to employ a GIS. A synopsis of some topics of a site atlas can be used for a computer aided compilation of the Integrated Site Development Concept.

Research project and lead partner

optirisk® was generated within the context of REFINA – Research for the Reduction of Land Consumption and for Sustainable Land Management.
This programme is part of the German National Strategy for Sustainable Development funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Lead partner: Lead partner Jülich

optirisk® was funded by:

Federal Ministry of Education and Research – BMBF

Thuringian Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Environment and Conservation – TMLFUN

• Website optirisk
• Guideline to optimization of site development concepts for polluted, unused properties - the project optirisk; Dr. Kersten Roselt, JENA-GEOS®-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
  download
• Guideline to optimization of site development concepts for polluted, unused properties - a result of the research project optirisk®; Dr. Kersten Roselt, Anika Homuth, Dr. Gerold Hesse, Charlotte Rauschenbach, Thomas Zill, Ingo Quaas, Volker Drusche, Anja Thor (ed.), 2009
  Link to the document and to the appendices

Project Management

Mr Dr. Kersten Roselt
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena
Telefon: 03641 / 4535-13

Mr Andreas Schaubs
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena
Telefon: +49 (0)3641 / 4535-0
Telefax: +49 (0)3641 / 442806

Mr Stefan Redlich
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Mr Clemens Borrmann
JENA-GEOS-IngenieSaalbahnhofstr. 25curbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Mr Dr. Gerold Hesse
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Mrs Marlies Seher
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Mr Frank Martin
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Mrs Sylvia Sielski
JENA-GEOS-Ingenieurbüro GmbH
Saalbahnhofstr. 25c
07743 Jena

Scientific Co-operation

Mr Ingo Quaas
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Bauhausstraße 7b
99423 Weimar

Mrs Anja Thor
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
Bauhausstraße 7b
99423 Weimar

Practice Partners

Mr Dr. Rolf Kreimeyer
GESA Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung und Sanierung von Altstandorten mbH
Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 33
10178 Berlin
Telefon: 0341 / 7100-630
Telefax: 0341 / 7100-649