Brownfield Redevelopment Using the AHP Method for Urban Safety and Environmental Protection

The regeneration of brownfield sites in Belgrade represents an important component of sustainable urban development. Over the past two decades, Belgrade has experienced extensive redevelopment of brownfield sites, although these transformations have largely taken place without a coherent strategic framework for integrating the provision of public amenities with the needs and priorities of local communities. This study evaluates the regeneration potential of 23 brownfield sites representing different activation statuses using a multi-criteria assessment framework based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). As a case study, the proposed framework has practical applicability and can support decision-makers in the planning and activation of future brownfield sites by incorporating lessons learned from previous redevelopment processes. The ultimate contribution of this study therefore lies in bridging methodological assessment and practical decision-making, thereby supporting more sustainable, evidence-based, and context-sensitive brownfield regeneration. Thirteen criteria were grouped into three thematic categories: environmental safety; infrastructure development and spatial capacity; and quality of life and social well-being. The analysis integrated data from strategic planning documents, spatial datasets, satellite imagery, and field verification, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to process, spatially integrate, and visualize the results. The proposed framework integrates environmental, spatial, infrastructural, and social considerations to provide a systematic basis for assessing and prioritizing brownfield regeneration. The results indicate that brownfield activation in Belgrade has frequently occurred without sufficient alignment with a clearly defined urban development strategy. Brownfield sites have most commonly been converted into residential areas and shopping centers, while insufficient consideration has been given to the provision of green spaces, tourism-related uses, and potential environmental pressures. Sites located in the municipalities of Savski Venac and Rakovica demonstrate the greatest potential for the integration of green infrastructure. Based on the assessment results, three brownfield typologies were identified: sites suitable for ecological restoration and green corridor development; sites suitable for mixed-use regeneration incorporating public facilities; and sites requiring priority remediation before redevelopment. The findings provide practical guidance for environmental protection, urban safety, and multifunctional regeneration of post-industrial areas, while demonstrating the potential applicability of the proposed methodology to other urban areas facing similar brownfield regeneration challenges.