The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved the environmental permit for the redevelopment of the Paardenmarkt. This brings the implementation of this project of the Antwerp district closer. The works will start in the spring of 2025, if everything goes smoothly.
The new Paardenmarkt will be safer, greener, and more pleasant to stay. The works have now been officially given the green light. The design pays a lot of attention to the quality of life in the street.
District mayor Paul Cordy (N-VA): “The Paardenmarkt will be transformed from a wide thoroughfare into a pleasant residential, walking and shopping street with lots of greenery and plenty of space for the sidewalks, which will provide many extra possibilities for the catering establishments. The section between the Hessenbrug and the Varkensmarkt will be constructed as a residential area, so that the living space here can be used optimally.”
Green design
District alderman for Green Areas Tom Van den Borne (Groen): “The entire street will have new and larger planting areas with a mix of plants and trees. Rainwater will be collected as much as possible in the planting areas instead of flowing straight into the sewer. The existing trees will be preserved as much as possible (77 of the 91) and will be given more space to grow. In addition, 30 new trees will be planted. Of these, 8 will be given the space to continue growing as future trees.”
Experience
The neighbourhood will gain a lot of living space, with a number of pleasant seating areas among the greenery (except for the Varkensmarkt side), and a square area at the Sint-Antonius church. The children of the neighbourhood will have play facilities, festive lighting can be connected in the residential area, and there will be more space for terraces.
Zone 30 and residential area
Traffic safety is being focused on, with a zone 30 from the Boulevards (Leien) to the intersection with the Hessenbrug, and a residential area on the section between the Hessenbrug and the Varkensmarkt.
The residential area will have three large green areas, interrupted by semi-paved strips. The green areas ensure that traffic cannot drive in a straight line, and therefore automatically slows down.
City of Antwerp alderman for mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “We are providing a mix of mobility options on the renovated Paardenmarkt. For example, the Velo stations will remain, but they will be moved further down the street. In addition, we are installing drop zones for shared mobility systems and extra bicycle racks. This redevelopment fits in with our ambition to profile the 16th-century city centre as a walking area as much as possible.”
Timing
The further management and communication about this project is the responsibility of the Antwerp district. The next phase is the tender procedure to appoint the contractor who will carry out the works. If everything goes smoothly, the works will start in the spring of 2025.
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On the look of Antwerp
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- ANTWERP | Groenplaats redesign planned for 2026.
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- ANTWERP | ‘Blinds’ Martin Margiela at Schuttershofstraat.
- ANTWERP | Flemish Culinary Centre Smaakhaven at Loodwezen to open in 2029.
- Antwerp unveils texts and names for monument in honour of WWII victims.
- City of Antwerp commissions ‘Collectie Centrum’ to store heritage collection.
- 17th century Antwerp Citadel decorative vase gets prominent place at KMSKA.
- Antwerp erects cenotaph for deceased Congolese from 1894 World Exposition.
- ANTWERP | Redesign works of Wapper start in 2026.
- ANTWERP | Final design Linkeroever Scheldt Banks South approved.
- ANTWERP | Preliminary design of Ringpark ‘Cluster Centraal’ approved.
- Which flags get to fly at Antwerp City Hall?.
- ANTWERP | Market exploration questions the future of the Stadsschouwburg Theatre Building.
- ANTWERP | Meir Shopping Street set for major redesign in 2027.
- ANTWERP | Murals in Voetgangerstunnel repainted.
- ANTWERP | Restoration of Vleeshuis to start in 2025.
- Antwerp-South Railway Station and surroundings get makeover.
- ANTWERP | Northern Pavillion at Scheldt’s Northern Terrace gets revamp.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk).
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. Paul’s Church (Sint-Pauluskerk).
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
- Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
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- Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
- Antwerp designs future of Scheldt Left Bank riverside.
- ANTWERP | Major revamp of the Meirbrug – Suikerrui – Scheldt Quays axis to complete the Via Sinjoor.
- ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
- PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
- VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
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- ANTWERP | Community centre coStA to become ANDRS in 2027 after major revamp.
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