Architecture + Cities Research Forum: “Reimagining Terrain Vague” by Krystallia Kamvasinou and Lorenzo Iannizzotto

Urban vacant lands, terrain vague, urban voids, brownfields—are typically viewed as negative spaces awaiting profitable development, despite often harbouring rich ecological systems and supporting diverse community activities. As cities confront climate change, biodiversity loss, and spatial inequity, these undervalued spaces present untapped potential. What alternative values do these spaces hold? How might we reconcile theoretical understandings with practical interventions? When should preservation take precedence over development? The seminar discussed initial findings from research into emerging innovative practices that reimagine vacant land to address contemporary urban challenges.