Gentbrugse Meersen

The Challenge

The Gentbrugse Meersen site lies between the Scheldt and the Gentbrugge neighborhoods, presenting a fragmented landscape of castle park remnants, overgrown landfills, and former agricultural plots slowly reclaimed by nature. The challenge was to create cohesion among these diverse elements while preserving their unique character and ensuring accessibility and engagement for both local residents and visitors.

The Solution

Tractebel’s design reinforces spatial cohesion and identity through targeted interventions. A network of formal paved circuits and informal unpaved paths establishes a clear framework for movement and exploration. An elevated passerelle offers a distinctive entry point, rising among the trees to provide a gradual transition from the urban edge into the park’s core. Within the central recreation zone, drift structures define landscape chambers hosting a variety of programs, including a service center, youth center, playgrounds, and sports facilities. Strategic planting of trees, shrubs, and hedgerows enhances spatial articulation. Architectural elements, such as wooden platforms, are positioned to highlight historical relics, reinforcing the park’s identity.

The Impact

Gentbrugse Meersen has been transformed into a vibrant, fully-fledged park that harmonizes recreation with ecological development. The project delivers accessible, high-quality spaces for residents and visitors while maintaining the site’s informal and organic essence. By integrating human activity with natural processes, the park has become a socially and ecologically significant landmark for the city, offering clearly defined zones for leisure and biodiversity within a cohesive and inviting environment.