Page 144 - Beyond Decommissioning

Relevant factors for redevelopment 125

important for redevelopers and other stakeholders to be apprised and achieve a good
knowledge of the facility/site characterization; moreover, to understand all the main
issues that occurred during the remediation phase (e.g., small releases of contami-
nants, areas that were left behind unexplored) may help to prevent undesired discov-
eries during redevelopment. The responsibility for handing over this information rests
with the site incumbent owner/licensee, but regulators (old and new) have a central
role in this transition.
The location is not only a determining factor in the feasibility of adaptive reuse, but
also contributes to a project’s outcome. In many cases, the adaptive reuse creates a
new use which in due time creates new opportunities for the surrounding
communities.
A facility located in the vicinity to a community with a comfortable standard of
living will be more desirable for redevelopment. To this end, desirable assets would
include: quality schools, a good tax base, a low crime rate, and a user friendly
environment.
It was found that the location of a building in regard to points of interest contributed
to the success of adaptive reuse projects. For example, the vicinity of some obsolete
facilities to population centers can make them good candidates for adaptive reuse.
Actually, “vicinity” is a relative concept in today’s world. Experience shows that
certain shopping malls, though located say 20 or more kilometers from the nearest
city, can still be profitable: likewise, people will be willing to travel many kilometers
to reach a formerly industrial plant converted into a shopping mall if they find it cost
effective.
In some cases, adaptive reuse of old industrial installations is incorporated into
urban redevelopment plans, for example, as endeavors to decrease urban sprawl.
See the Bicocca case mentioned in Section 6.2.2.14.
Many older facilities offer a good adaptive reuse potential because of their close
links to any recreational areas that have been developed around water bodies
(formerly used by industrial facilities for cooling purposes or as emergency water
reservoirs), parks, natural reserves, wildlife habitats, mountain or sea resorts, other
touristic centers, etc.
A high-capacity connection to an electricity distribution grid is available at most
NPP sites. This asset makes them fit for redevelopment as an alternative electricity
generation plant (see the Fort St Vrain case in Section 6.2.1.2), or for an energy-
absorbing industrial redevelopment. Additionally, most nuclear sites are equipped
with backup electricity systems, typically diesel generators, which can be readily
converted to nonnuclear applications. It is also vital to maintain other infrastructure
facilities resulting from nuclear operations, such as sewerage and an industrial and
drinking water network. However, some refurbishment activities may be required
to adapt these services to the redevelopment needs.
Site accessibility is a key asset either for industrial applications, for recreational
activities, or for a range of mixed uses. The operation of a nuclear facility requires
frequent access for contractors and equipment (tools, spare parts) for facility mainte-
nance and repair, as well as visitors. In contrast, some nuclear facilities are situated
in remote, almost inaccessible places on security and/or radiological grounds.