Insight
From sustainable car park to mobility hub: three eco-design approaches to mobility infrastructures
Case study - RUISBROEK
The metamorphosis of an industrial wasteland into a sustainable urban neighbourhood
The former abandoned ACV industrial site in the centre of Ruisbroek will be home to a sustainable residential area, well-served by public transport. Located less than 5 minutes from Brussels-South, the largest railway station in the country, the new multipurpose neighbourhood will offer various types of housing, with plenty of green spaces and urban squares. The project was developed to make responsible and sustainable use of land, shown in the reduced footprint and the creation of communal gardens.
New eco-district 'Kerkeveld'
Description
Creation of a mixed urban neighbourhood on a disused industrial site, designed to be ecological and sustainable
Responsible
Kris Loix
Partners
BM Engineering
Location
Ruisbroek (Sint-Pieters-Leeuw)
Client
Ruisbroek Kern Land nv
Area
30.000 m²
Contemporary living on a strategic urban site
Faced with chronic motorway congestion heading in to the capital, a way for sustainable development is to focus on public transport by adding density to the areas along the main routes. The new ‘Kerkeveld’ neighbourhood is located on a 2-hectare industrial site just a stone’s throw from a train station on the outskirts of Brussels. It is a direct response to today’s urban mobility challenges. We also wanted to defend the responsible use of land reserves, so we based our project on the principles of ecology and densification.
The masterplan we have developed proposes a housing stock adapted to the diversity of modern households and modes of living: single-family houses, apartments, affordable housing, and housing for the elderly. The inclusion of commercial units around public squares allows for vibrant and animated community spaces, ensuring social sustainability.
A new urban centrality that reinforces the ecological network
The homes are coherently grouped, surrounded by a landscaped park shared with the other inhabitants of the city. We wanted to provide residents with a living environment in the heart of green spaces, close to public transport, without threatening the responsible balance between private space and sharing of public goods.
In this same urban approach, we thought of two public places around which the collective housing units are located. On the South side, the space favours sports and leisure. On the North side, the place adopts a more residential character and extends to link up with the station district. An ecological landscape designed to support biodiversity will link the North and South areas. These green spaces will include private and communal gardens where residents can socialise and develop urban farming plots.
The ‘Kerkeveld’ project illustrates our vision of a high-quality and rational urban development, with a strong environmental ethos.
Soft mobility on the surface and car parks in the basement
Most public spaces on the surface are free of motorised traffic, save for emergency access. We prioritised ‘soft mobility’ (non-motorised transport) and openness to the city: towards the North, the urban plan includes a covered pedestrian and cycle route, in the shelter of buildings, which will strengthen the link between the Church Square and Ruisbroek station.
In a functional and pragmatic choice, we have moved car traffic underground, where a car park located under the central square meets almost all the parking needs of the new neighbourhood. Around 70 places will also be available in a public car park, accessible to all residents of Ruisbroek.
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