Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent will build 1,100 homes near Afrikalaan, with 40% affordable (25% social, 15% budget rental). Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke leads this first-time policy. 4 parks, student housing, and eco-mobility included.
Ghent is changing the area around Afrikalaan with a new plan. This plan will create about 1,100 new homes. The city is making sure that 40% of these homes will be affordable. Of those, 25% will be for social rental housing, and 15% will be for budget rental housing. This rule applies to everyone building in the area, including the city and private companies.
According to Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke, this is the first time Ghent has made such a requirement. It’s a big step to make sure everyone can afford a home, not just the wealthy. He mentioned that the city wants affordability to be a key part of its plans from the beginning.
How is Ghent creating an inclusive and affordable new district?
Ghent has been trying out budget rental housing, and this new plan makes it a permanent part of the city’s housing options. Budget rental homes are for people who make too much money to live in social housing but still can’t afford regular rent.
These homes will be rented at lower prices and managed by non-profit groups or the city. By including social and budget housing in the same area, Ghent wants to create diverse neighbourhoods where people from different backgrounds can live together.
Officials mentioned that the new district will be close to the port and the city centre, making it easy for everyone to get around. The plan makes sure that new development is not just about making money but also about being socially responsible and building a city that grows in a way that includes everyone.
“Budget rent is for people who earn too much for social housing, but have a hard time on the regular rental market. The rent contribution for budget rent is lower than the market price,”
Says Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke
Near Ghent Dampoort station, a 35-hectare area is being turned into a new, modern city district. This area, close to the future Verapaz Bridge and a university campus, will be a place with different kinds of housing, offices, and shops. An old factory, the Christens factory, will be kept and included in the new design. The plan also includes student housing, with about 10% to 20% of the homes set aside for students.
The new city district will have plenty of green spaces, with 4 new parks planned. There will be a park along the water, a central park for events, a park for sports and kids, and a park focused on nature.
Officials mentioned that before building, the soil needs to be cleaned up because of pollution from the area’s industrial history. They said that the district will be easy to get to using eco-friendly transport like walking, biking, and public transport, including the nearby Verapaz Bridge.
