At the end of October, we took part in a tour of successfully renovated sites in the Liberec Region. It showed that even abandoned and dilapidated buildings can be given a new lease of life and purpose.

Brownfields TRIP of the Liberec Region, organized by the region and the Regional Development Agency, took us to locations where history, sensitive reconstruction, and modern use have been successfully combined. The aim was to show that brownfield regeneration is not just about construction work, but above all about new opportunities—for the community, business, and regional development.

The first stop was the hydroelectric power plant in Přepeře. Next to the original building, a new small hydroelectric power plant has been built, which expands the local energy infrastructure and continues the tradition of using water power in the region. Both power plants are now in operation and represent an interesting example of the combination of technology and modern architecture. The interior of the new building is also decorated with an artistic painting called The World of Water by Heshama Malik, which brings an original aesthetic dimension to the technical space.

Another destination was the Craft Alley and Veterans Gallery in Turnov – projects that combine tradition with modern community life. Craft Alley builds on local history and supports the preservation and development of traditional crafts, while the Veterans Gallery attracts visitors interested in technology and history. Turnov thus shows that even a smaller town can find ways to revitalize historic spaces and support local entrepreneurs, craftsmen, and tourism.

The last stop was Kittel’s house in Pěnčín-Krásná, originally a dilapidated building, which now serves as a museum, cultural center, and meeting place. The history of the famous “healer” Dr. Kittel has been revived here thanks to the care of the municipality and the support of the local community.

Inspiration for other cities and investors

Brownfields TRIP was not just an excursion, but also a platform for sharing experiences. Municipalities, investors, and representatives of institutions had the opportunity to discuss challenges, financing options, and how to connect the public and private sectors in practice.