Ghent: (Brussels Morning) The car dealership in Ghent is redesigning its layout to accommodate multiple uses and promote eco-friendly transportation while a new student housing project will provide affordable long-term accommodations near the city center.
Tom De Bruyckere the boss at the car shop talked about wanting to change how they do things because of what the city architect in Ghent wants. The architect suggests having different activities in new buildings instead of just one thing like before. Right now the dealership has a regular setup with lots of cars parked around. They know it’s time for a change. They plan to adjust their layout to match what Ghent aims for in city planning. They said this means redesigning their place to fit many uses well which can improve how the city works and looks.
What are the key features of the new building project in Ghent and how does it address student housing needs?
The new building will have an underground parking with two floors to get rid of the parking on the surface. This change will make room for more plants and outdoor areas. They will also build a two-story garage with separate entrances for students at the back. Inside there will be a place to safely keep bicycles. This setup focuses on eco-friendly transport like biking and makes the site greener and nicer. It will have the top three floors just for students. They want to give students a chance to live there at a good price because there’s a big need for affordable student rooms in the city. Even though the exact rent isn’t known yet there’s a deal with a school. This school will rent these rooms for 20 years making sure students have a place to stay for a long time. This plan helps solve the problem of not enough student housing and makes Ghent’s education scene better by offering reliable places to live.
How has the new bike bridge in Ghent impacted student housing and transportation?
There’s been a bike bridge over the river near the city and the student area in Ghent for a while now. This bridge has made it much easier to go between these places. Because of this bridge students find it easier to choose where to stay. It helps them travel quickly between the city center where the schools are and the student district with affordable housing. This improvement in getting around has likely made student room options in Ghent more attractive and practical for students.
The students are expected to move in by September 2026. If there are delays in construction they will aim for September 2027 as a backup plan. This way they make sure the student rooms are ready for students without rushing the construction.
