Friday marked the festive opening of the Vetten Osplein in the Slachthuissite in Antwerpen. Local residents immediately embraced the play and sport facilities with the fountain as a highlight. The intimate square serves as the living room for the neighborhood.

Together with Sweco Belgium, LOLA Lanscape Architects and Buiting Advies we designed a green public space for the former slaughterhouse district of Antwerpen which will see its number of residents increase over the coming years. Through an extensive participatory process, we redesigned the industrial and car-focused area into a green oasis with diverse parks, squares and streets giving more space to pedestrians and cyclists.

A plant-filled ‘zipper’ seemingly connects the existing and new neighbourhood while at the same time providing a habitat for birds, butterflies and bees. Trees and water elements are carefully placed to reduce heat stress, wind, noise and create a pleasant living environment. Water is collected and reused in and around the neighbourhood.

“It surprised me how instantly the square became lively. Parents were queueing for ice cream while kids were playing with the fountain. Planters at the edge of the square create a safe border between the street and the square, with niches in the planters fostering interaction. There was a relaxed atmosphere on the square and although the design has only just been realised, it feels like the square had always been there.”
— Urban designer Gintarė Norkūnaitė