Raamovereenkomst Groene Singel: Beeldkwaliteitplan met mogelijke vervolgopdrachten

The Groene Singel is a spatially and ecologically fragmented infrastructural corridor surrounding Antwerp. It is a 625-hectare, strategically located ‘green gap’ between the inner and outer city that can play a key role as a catalyst in furthering the urban development of the city. In 2011, together with Maxwan, Antea Group, HUB, and Goudappel Coffeng, karres+brands won the tender for the design of the visual quality plan of the Groene Singel. The Groene Singel Visual Quality Plan unifies the fragmented space and increases its attractiveness and accessibility for people, flora, and fauna alike. It contains green, ecological, and smart, affordable guidelines for landscape, public space, ecology, infrastructure, and buildings.

The Groene Singel is currently considered by Antwerp’s populace as a not particularly well-liked place to be, and yet, partly as a result, it is indeed a habitat for a wealth of flora and fauna. The margins of the Groene Singel are bountifully large, and are situated a stone’s throw from the adjacent districts, which have a shortage of parks and recreational areas, schools, and cultural and sports facilities. Through careful management and connection-oriented interventions, the future of the Groene Singel is expanded into a more powerful ecological system.

Spending time in the Groene Singel is made more attractive through a better organisation of the landscape of its margins, as well as the infrastructure that cuts through it. In three sections, existing landscapes have a differentiated development. In the northern part, the Haven Landscape; in the southern part, the Rivierduinen Landscape. Between them lies the Bosschagel Landscape. The green quality is greatly improved: the ecological value increases, while the berms and planted vegetation form strong units and have a higher visual quality. The overall ecological structure is enhanced by improved connections with adjacent parks and landscape sections: image, management, and ecology go hand in hand.

Nestled against the background of the constants of landscape and infrastructure in the Groene Singel are unique buildings and outdoor spaces. The Keien (large development locations) and the Bermgebouwen (smaller public buildings) are distinguishing aspects surrounded by the Groene Singel and the edges of the inner and outer city. Noise-reduction measures improve the quality of life in neighbouring districts, whereby the Groene Singel becomes a more pleasant area to spend time and relax.

Within the Groene Singel Strategic Space, work is also taking place on the sub-project of Singel Noord, the former port area around the Lobroekdok and the Sportpaleis, with a size of approximately 40 hectares. The recessed location of a future highway and a large roof that coincides geographically with the Sportpaleis are incorporated into a flexible master plan, in conjunction with ecological and urban landscape guidelines. This master plan, which includes building blocks for public space, among other things, is aimed at a gradual transformation of the area.

The members of the jury, including Stadsbouwmeester Kristiaan Borret, programme leader Kitty Haine, and architect Willem Jan Neutelings, appreciated the realistic combination of ecological vision and financial pragmatism, which also demonstrates sustainable progress in times of budgetary pressures. The competition plan has since been developed into a full Visual Quality Plan, which not only forms the basis for the management of the green space, but also for future developments in the Groene Singel.