Scheldt quays on New South get large park and ‘wet’ forest (Antwerp)
It covers a part of 750 meters and that should look completely different from the part just before that, on the South. “We are making sure that certain parts of the Scheldt quays can still take place, for example small events. This is not the case on this stretch, here we are fully committed to greening,” says Alderman for Urban Development Annick De Ridder (N-VA).
So one may speak here of parks and forests. The design is by Sweco-PROAP-WIT architects. They opt for greenery, various water elements for the collection of rainwater, various sports and play zones, a water forest, three pavilions, two amphitheaters with staircases, various landscape elements and urban furniture.
In detail, it looks like this: There will be a park of 5.5 hectares. The division also speaks of a forest, a wet forest. “For that forest, we consciously opt for vegetation that can withstand flooding, with a flood plain through the Scheldt. A picking bunch with edible fruits is added to the use part.”
No park without sports and games, so on the 750-metre stretch, petanque courts will also be set up for local residents, at the suggestion of local residents. There will also be play elements with wooden beams in a circle, a playground with climbing equipment and a water feature. And there will be four fitness equipment with a view of the Scheldt.
Two small amphitheatres are also provided on the piece, or two large staircases to rest on. One facing the Scheldt and another facing the city.
No new city district without at least a few technical highlights. There will also be three pavilions on this part. One of these has a technical function for the heat network of the Nieuw Zuid district. There will also be a basin that will collect, purify and recover the excess rainwater from the Antwerp Ring in water channels in the park.
The other two pavilions could have a catering function, but a manager still has to be found for that. The city is thinking of a cafe, restaurant or exhibition or meeting space, for example.
Not important for local residents who buy an apartment in the South so that they can enjoy the view of the Scheldt every day. “Sightlines of the neighborhood on the Scheldt from the residents in the lower apartments still have a view of the water,” says De Ridder. A new neighborhood moment is planned for Thursday 21 April, during which the final design will be explained. The district and surrounding area will receive an invitation in the mail.
If everything goes smoothly, the reconstruction of the New South quay plain can start in the spring of 2023 and everything will be ready in 2024.