Mechelen (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Broeklin is a sustainable development project in Mechelen, Belgium, replacing the abandoned Uplace. After facing permit challenges, it received final approval in December 2023, aiming to create a modern economic hub.
Broeklin is a large development project in Mechelen, Belgium, designed to replace the controversial Uplace. Uplace was a proposed shopping and leisure complex that faced a lot of legal and public opposition. People criticized it for its potential environmental impact, increased traffic, and negative effects on local businesses, which led to its permits being revoked twice. After years of legal battles, the project was officially abandoned in April 2020. In its place, Broeklin was introduced as a more sustainable option, focusing on a mix of retail, workspaces, urban farming, and education, aiming to create a modern economic hub.
How did Broeklin overcome permit challenges to become a model for sustainable urban development?
Broeklin also faced some challenges. In December 2022, the Council for Permit Disputes revoked Broeklin’s permit because they had concerns about environmental impacts and issues in the permit process. Despite this setback, the developers are revising the project plans to address these objections and comply with stricter environmental regulations. Efforts are ongoing to reapply for the necessary permits, as Broeklin aims to overcome the legacy of Uplace and establish itself as a model for sustainable urban development in the region.
The plans were changed, and in December 2023, the Flemish government gave a special permit. The only group that complained about this permit, Sobeco n, has now dropped their complaint. This means the project has a final permit. Jan Van Lancker, the CEO of Uplace, said, “We’ve become an example of how hard it can be to get a permit. It took a long time, but we are happy to finally start our real work.” There is no set start or end date for the work yet. Van Lancker also said, “We will take our time to get everything ready and not skip any steps.”
