Kortrijk Weide

The Challenge

Kortrijk Weide occupies former bleaching fields historically tied to the region’s flax industry. Strategically located between the Leie River, the railway, and the city ring road, the site faced the challenge of being transformed into a multifunctional urban landscape. The ambition was to create a space that harmonizes ecological restoration, recreational opportunities, and logistical functions, while respecting its historical significance and integrating it into the evolving urban fabric.

The Solution

Tractebel’s design approach interweaves three distinct landscape typologies: the Ecological Park, the Urban Belvedere, and the Railway Garden. The Ecological Park along the Leie enhances biodiversity through varied vegetation, scattered tree groups, and a gradient from wet to dry landscapes, complemented by a central water garden that repurposes an existing moat into a cascading rainwater buffer and leisure space. The Urban Belvedere, elevated near the ring road, serves as a multifunctional events plaza, integrating parking, public transport facilities, and spaces for large gatherings. Behind the historic railway shed, the Railway Garden offers a tranquil retreat with winding paths, dense planting, and habitats for species such as the wall lizard. This design strategy embraces dualities—old and new, natural and artificial, green and mineral—creating a dynamic and resilient urban landscape.

The Impact

Kortrijk Weide has been successfully transformed into a vibrant, multifunctional public space that balances ecology, recreation, and urban logistics. The project strengthens biodiversity, improves water management, and provides diverse recreational opportunities, while preserving historical identity within a contemporary design. Today, Kortrijk Weide stands as a landmark destination, offering residents and visitors an inclusive environment that fosters connection, sustainability, and cultural continuity.