Identification of vacant space; a prerequisite for industrial and societal development

In the real state community, vacant space is mostly regarded as a cost and a negative factor. However from a societal perspective, vacant space might function as a necessity for growth and creativity. Vacant space is not merely relevant for companies and organisations, but also for residential areas. In order to satisfy space flexibility, companies and organisations must have access to additional space during periods of expansion as well as additional residential areas and other facilities for e.g. employees. Conversely, vacant space must be managed during times of recession. In current practices, space flexibility can be enhanced through efficiencies, ownership, relocation, leasing, and in a larger scale, through governmental and public initiatives. This paper presents new methodologies derived from strategies from manufacturing industry; which are here applied to identify vacant space and potential market. It has been discussed a certain amount of concepts for an efficient allocation of resources by relating to Facilities Management, Total Quality Management and ICT as a significant approach for rendering efficiencies in land use, particularly in countries characterised by scarcity of green areas and abundant “brownfields” are rather a topic for development. In a conclusive discussion, this paper argues that the identification of vacant space, in multiple perspectives, is crucial for the future for urban and regional planning.