Groen Lint Oostende

The Challenge

Ostend, a compact coastal city, has traditionally focused its public spaces on the beach and the sea. Yet its hinterland—rich with polders, urban forests, and sports parks—offers untapped potential. The Groen Lint initiative seeks to transform this peripheral zone into a vital part of the city’s public realm, complementing the coastal front with a strong green framework. The challenge lies in creating a cohesive green belt that improves accessibility, strengthens the link between urban and rural landscapes, and integrates diverse functions such as recreation, education, and ecological development.

The Solution

Tractebel’s design for Groen Lint introduces a 35 km cycling and walking route that encircles Ostend, reinforcing spatial and functional connections between the city and its surroundings. The project works on three levels: establishing a unified green belt with varied landscapes, optimizing the route for clarity and comfort, and implementing targeted interventions to create engaging public spaces. These include platforms, passages, plateaus, gardens, and water borders that punctuate the route with moments of interaction. A key feature, the Tuinen van Stene park, combines recreation with water management, ecological development, and urban agriculture through natural grazing, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and a network of canals and paths that define spaces for cultivation and biodiversity.

The Impact

Groen Lint has redefined Ostend’s periphery, turning it into a vibrant and multifunctional landscape that enriches the city’s public realm. The green belt improves accessibility and encourages outdoor activities, fostering a stronger connection between urban and rural environments. The Tuinen van Stene pilot project stands as a model for integrating urban agriculture, water management, and ecological resilience, promoting sustainability and climate adaptation. By blending recreation, education, and social interaction, Groen Lint enhances quality of life and sets a benchmark for future green infrastructure projects.