Experience

ANTWERP | Start of work on the Scheldekaaien Nieuw Zuid park

Posted by Timothy on

On Friday 29 September the engineering works for the reconstruction of the public domain on the Scheldt Quays in the Nieuw Zuid sub-area of Antwerp started. The area along the Scheldt will be designed as a 5.5 hectare park for pedestrians and cyclists with space for relaxation, lots of greenery, water features and two pavilions. If everything goes smoothly, the works will take approximately 18 months.

This redevelopment of the public domain is located on the Scheldt Quays near the Nieuw Zuid or New South neighbourhood, between the already constructed part near Sint-Andries – Zuid and the J.F. Kennedy Bicycle Tunnel. The park will become a green place for all residents and passers-by to relax. There will be a dog walking zone, various play and sports facilities, a multifunctional lawn, two pavilions, unique seating on the grass slopes on the water, a water forest and a basin with an underground rain supply.

Alderman for Urban Development and chairperson of AG Vespa, Annick De Ridder (N-VA): “A beautiful 5.5 hectare park will be built along the Scheldt quays on Nieuw Zuid. We are fully committed to ‘greening’ here, but also to ‘blueing’ with a water feature that serves as a basin. the rainwater collects. This will be a wonderful walk on paths between the greenery or along the water barrier with a view of the Scheldt; romping with the dog in the dog walking zone; exercising and playing in the green zones or relaxing at the two amphitheaters… In short, not alone Nieuw-Zuid, but the whole of Antwerp will be a fantastic place richer after the works!”

Much variation

The Nieuw Zuid neighbourhood will therefore have a park on the water where greenery predominates. To make the space as green as possible, other park functions – such as sports, games, picnics and small events – are clustered around three places as much as possible.

The new park will be a place with a changing purpose: certain parts will be decorated with lots of plants at different heights, in other zones there will be more open space. There will be a water forest in the southernmost part. On the wet side of the flood defense, the city chooses trees and plants that can withstand regular flooding. 

After all, the greenery in that place is subject to a lot of wind and salt, and is unprotected from sun and rain. The park will provide sufficient cooling in and for the city due to the various water features and different types of trees (including fruit trees).

Due to the varying content, the relationship with the Scheldt also changes: the walking path runs along green and blue, partly along trees and partly along the edge of the flood defense with an open view of the water. 

The dike path at Sint-Andries and Zuid continues for another hundred meters in the new park and then turns into informal, meandering paths. The cobblestone strip of Sint-Andries & Zuid is extended along the entire length of the blue stone along the water.

Emptiness for now.

Flood defence

Flemish Minister of Mobility & Public Works Lydia Peeters (Open Vld): “To better protect the people of Antwerp against possible flooding from the Scheldt, the flood defenses in the Nieuw Zuid sub-area will also be increased from 8.35 to 9.25 meters TAW. In the northern and central part, dikes will mainly fulfill the role of flood defence, in the southern part these will be underground water retaining walls. These interventions are part of the Sigma Plan, which, taking climate change into account, invests in increased water safety and nature development. The investment from Flanders via De Vlaamse Waterweg nv for the Nieuw Zuid sub-area amounts to 1.1 million euros excluding VAT.”

Water and pavilions

Water is an important element in the design of this park. The central part of the park will have visible water channels. More to the south there will be an aesthetically landscaped pond that functions as a water basin with an underground rain supply. 

The City of Antwerp will also plant the water forest here, with water-loving trees such as willows and black alders. This is the most adventurous part of the park with rugged rock formations and routes to explore.

There will also be two park pavilions. One has an elevated viewpoint over the Scheldt, a real relaxation spot. A second pavilion is designed more like a conservatory. They will both have a suitable park use, such as a small-scale café or restaurant, or an exhibition or meeting space.

Relaxation paradise

There will be play zones in several places, designed with wooden beams in a circle. There will also be a playground with climbing equipment. In addition to the play areas, there is space for sports. 

There will be a large lawn (shielded from the roadway by ball catchers in the form of a steel structure with climbing plants), petanque courts and fitness equipment.

You can also relax in the various meeting and seating areas, with sofas in different volumes, colors and shapes. The park will also have unique seats on the grass slopes on the Scheldt and on the city side. This creates a wide variety of seating areas, with varying atmosphere and views.

On the look of Antwerp