Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Link Guimardstraat in Brussels is being redeveloped. State Secretary for Urban Development Ans Persoons has confirmed that the planning permit has been issued. There will be more greenery and half as many parking spaces.
Guimardstraat in Brussels has been under development since it was given the planning permit, as stated by the State Secretary for Urban Development, who informs that a planning permit was granted for the same, as reported by VRT.
More greenery and half of the parking spaces are to be introduced in the project. This is the first effort, under the master plan, addressing the greening of the European quarter, which will herald a greater focus on sustainable urban infrastructure.
Today, the number of transverse parking spaces in Guimardstraat consists of 85 spaces that will be replaced with 41 lengthwise spaces to maximise space utilisation. The sidewalks will be made wider, while green zones will be created around the trees to protect the surface of the road from damage arising from roots, as it happens from a lack of space.
The traffic will be changed, and the part that goes from Handelsstraat to Frère-Orbansquare will be a one-way road. As one of the upgrades, the number of new bicycle desks to be installed is 30 for promoting cycling as an alternative to mode of transport.
What is the background behind the Guimardstraat redevelopment?
Guimardstraat redevelopment is a part of a general urban regeneration program based on the success achieved in the revitalisation of historic port and industrial areas in Antwerp (including Het Eilandje district).
Historically, Heleternet suffered economically, physically decaying after abandoned industrial activities (that would move or lessen, causing applications to drop) behind abandoned buildings, unused spaces. Out of necessity, Antwerp began participatory projects in urban planning beginning at the end of the 20th century, which aimed to preserve heritage while integrating new ones. This strategy managed the renovation of old buildings against new structures, improving the public spaces and infrastructure.
Just as the Guimardstraat redevelopment seeks to revitalise a previously forgotten area, the latter would be preserved by combining heritage aspects with future urban needs.
The concept of slow, sustainable urbanism is applied in the project, exhibiting a preference for mixed use and better amenities for the public. It is an outcome of what is learnt from Antwerp’s success in integrating the past with the future in an urban renaissance, which creates an economic revival impulse and a community incorporation impulse.
