Brussels gets green ‘islands’ in the canal
On the canal at the marina, the float will be created over a length of time, with underwater cages underneath. These should improve water quality and improvement. If this produces good results, the project will be expanded.
Environment Minister Alain Maron (Ecolo) to a question in the Environment Committee of Member of Parliament Aurélie Czekalski (MR) about last year’s study of the possibility of growing little islands.
“The study clearly shows that it is possible to float rafts with plantations on the canal,” said Minister Maron. “The study also identified several locations where this might be possible.”
The advantages of such ‘islands’ with vegetation are countless, experts say. Such rafts already exist in Paris and Kortrijk, among others. “They will improve the water quality and plants with a purifying effect will grow on them,” says Sylvain Godfroid, of the port.
“Furthermore, the rafts and underwater cages will also propagate the impact, as they create an actual environment in which fish, birds and insects can thrive and reproduce. In this way they also contribute to the role of the ecological corridor channel in the green and blue network in the city. They also absorb heat on hot days.”
In addition, the project also has a visual advantage, because the rafts with vegetation can make the view of the canal (Read more below the gallery)
The Port of Brussels is therefore starting a pilot project at one location, normally in May 2022.
Along the pontoon of the Bruxelles Royal Yacht Club, ‘islands’ planted with greenery will be constructed over a length of approximately 100 meters, with a total area of approximately 220 square meters. Cages are suspended below the rafts with supported oyster shells, which are supposed to protect the marine life and act as a spawning ground for fish.
The marina is an ideal place to carry out the pilot project, explains Maron in the committee. “Partly because there are no large storm basins in the area. There are ‘dukdalven’: the heavy wooden poles of structures to which vessels can be moored. They can shock and at the same time are also suitable for attaching the movements. The banks are not freely accessible, which reduces the risk of raft climbers, vandalism and stealth.”
After a year of state of affairs
The pilot project will receive a technical and ecological follow-up after one year, which will look at the strength of the rafts, anchor points and cages, and which species they accommodate. Exactly how many animals live on, in and around will also be counted. By the summer of 2023, this should help to decide whether the existing facilities will be expanded and other sites along the canal will also be designed accordingly.
According to the minister, this is one of the largest European projects that develop both floating rafts and underwater cages in order to contribute to the creation of complex ecosystems and, at the same time, the ecosystem services of spawning and breeding grounds.
“Indeed, there is also a public awareness part of this project, around the return of diversity and greener shores,” Maron told MPs. “The planting of the green rafts and the technical and ecological follow-up for applying applications for the public, especially the schools. Canal it Up will supervise this, together with the contractor to whom the contract is awarded.”
According to Maron, the non-profit organization Canal it Up has already announced that they will volunteer to raise awareness about the project, the collection of litter and light maintenance of the vegetation.