The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp has approved the preliminary design of Kap Groen Hart (Green Heart Hood), which is the additional 2.5 hectare logging of Ringpark Groenendaal. In addition, the preliminary design of Ringpark Groenendaal was also adjusted north of the Luchtbaltunnel, as the Ring is no longer constructed at a deeper level there.

Groenendaal Ring Park includes a landscape park above and next to the R1 from the Albert Canal to the Masure Bridge. The realisation of the Ringpark Groenendaal project is linked to the realization of the Oosterweel Connection by Lantis. The substructure (Oosterweel Connection) and the superstructure (the Ring Park) must be optimally coordinated in terms of design and implementation modalities.

Within Ringpark Groenendaal, two important changes have resulted in an adjustment of part of the preliminary design.

Non-sunken construction of R1 North 

The longitudinal profile of R1 North was adjusted. The ring will not be deepened between the Luchtbaltunnel and the Masure Bridge.

The design team drew an adapted preliminary design for the adjacent zone (Merksemse Tuinen and Luchtbal Natuurtuinen) with higher verges and screens. Higher verges and screens are integrated into the park to guarantee the proposed noise and air quality for the adjacent residential areas.

Kap Groen Hart

In addition, an additional Kap Groen Hart canopy was added to Ringpark Groenendaal. This additional roof also provides a connection with the Luchtbal district through the construction of two pedestrian and bicycle bridges over the railway lines.

The substructure of the Kap Groen Hart is designed by Lantis. The design team BUUR-Latz-Greisch-SWP drew up a preliminary design and vision statement for the superstructure of the Kap Groen Hart. The superstructure is designed as a landscaped park space, tailored to the neighborhood through a co-creative process. The additional space of the roof offers space for a low-dynamic program such as a sunbathing lawn and nature, as well as space for sports and games infrastructure.

Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “With Kap Groen Hart we are expanding Ringpark Groenendaal by no less than 2.5 hectares. Thanks to the bicycle and walking bridges, the residents of Luchtbal are also assured of a comfortable connection with a new green lung around the corner.”

Co-creative process

The design process is carried out in the context of De Grote Verbinding and in collaboration with partner Lantis and the team of intendant Alexander D’Hooghe. The preliminary design, including additional canopies, is the result of a co-creative and participatory process using ‘work benches’ and ‘work studios’.

A broad group of stakeholders is represented in the workbenches, such as the districts involved, various government services, citizen movements and associations.

In addition to the workbenches, various activities were also organized between October 2023 and April 2024 in preparation for an integrated design for the additional canopy. 

Two workshops (with residents of Rietschoorvelden and Luchtbal) were held, numerous bilateral consultations were organized with one or more stakeholders and an extensive (digital) neighborhood survey was conducted in which 467 people participated.

Preliminary draft

The superstructure (Ringparken) and the substructure (Oosterweel Connection) are mutually dependent. It is therefore important to have a good idea of ​​the desired design of the superstructure when the substructure is being constructed. 

As a result, there is a time lag between the development of the preliminary design and the further design process and the implementation of the superstructure. The framework is laid down in the preliminary design and the interpretation is left open until the final design after the time jump.

Groenendaal Ring Park

The City of Antwerp coordinates Ringpark Groenendaal, the design team is BUUR-Latz-Greisch-SWP in collaboration with Antea and Levuur.

The preliminary design of Ringpark Groenendaal is now being shared with all partners and stakeholders involved for verification and advice. The final design will only be started later, as the work here can only start after the completion of the work on the Oosterweel Connection, expected from 2030. It will be possible to start earlier on part of the Ringpark (Merksemse Tuinen).

Two more information sessions are planned in September for the residents of the affected districts Luchtbal and Rietschoorvelden (Merksem). The residents will receive an invitation for this.

All information about Ringpark Groenendaal can be found on degroteverbinding.be.

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