Candidate – Belgium
Submission by: City of Genk
Project name: Urban Forest Genk
Link: https://www.genk.be/grotemarkt
Short description
As the greenest city centre in Flanders, Genk has transformed its centre, once one of the most hardened areas of the city, into a green oasis. Thanks to the redesign of the ‘Grote Markt’, a remarkable 1,685 m² of paving has been converted into a vibrant and green city square. Since May 2024, residents and visitors can walk, relax, play and enjoy cozy outdoor terraces, all surrounded by nature.
The city of Genk aims to inspire other municipalities to tackle the challenges of urbanization and climate change through this project. Greening initiatives not only enhance biodiversity but also improve the well-being of residents. Genk demonstrates how a green approach can positively and sustainably impact both the living environment and its people.
a) Social Cohesion
The city forest provides a welcoming space for all ages. It features specially designed play areas for children to play safely amidst greenery. Numerous relaxation spots invite visitors to unwind and enjoy nature. These inviting areas encourage Genk residents to spend more time outdoors, promoting physical activity in the fresh air.
Additionally, the city forest serves as an ideal meeting point where residents of various generations and backgrounds can connect spontaneously, strengthening community ties in the centre. Thus, the city forest not only offers a green experience in the city but also fosters new connections among neighbours.
b) Biodiversity
Special attention was given to biodiversity, ecology, and sustainability during the development of the city forest. A wide variety of plant species was carefully selected, each with unique characteristics to support local nature. Open flowering plants were intentionally chosen to attract insects like bees and butterflies. The planting was also tailored to soil conditions to ensure optimal growth.
The timing of flowering periods and the planting of fruit-bearing trees were considered to provide continuous food and shelter for wildlife. The trees vary in structure, with open, semi-open, and closed canopies depending on their location, allowing different animal species to find suitable habitats.
c) Economic Factors
This project stimulates the local economy and enhances the attractiveness of the city centre. Restaurant owners have been able to slightly expand their terraces, which now seamlessly connect to the green square, creating a welcoming atmosphere for residents and tourists alike.
The revamped square has already attracted new entrepreneurs, with two new restaurants opening and a third on the way, contributing to a lively dining scene. The terraces will be enjoyable year-round, featuring finely-leaved trees with open crowns that provide sunlight in winter and shade in summer, making them appealing in every season.
d) Climate
Paved surfaces heat up quickly and cool down slowly, but the addition of greenery and large-canopy trees significantly mitigates this effect. The tree canopies provide shade and capture sunlight over a wide area, lowering temperatures in the centre on hot days.
Furthermore, the underground root systems of the trees are connected to permeable areas, allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate. This promotes optimal water utilization and enhances groundwater absorption. In summary, this greening not only creates a more pleasant living environment but also acts as a natural buffer against urban heat and contributes to climate neutrality.
e) Wellbeing of Visitors/Users
The city forest enhances the well-being of Genk residents, creating a pleasant environment for all ages. The green, natural space encourages people to spend more time outdoors and engage in physical activity, benefiting their physical and mental health.
Additionally, the forest features numerous quiet spots where individuals can escape daily stress and find peace in nature. The inviting surroundings promote social interactions, encouraging residents to gather and connect with their neighbours spontaneously, contributing to a sense of belonging and strengthening social cohesion in the centre.
f) Selection, Origin, and Quality of Used Products and Materials
Careful consideration was given to the selection of plants and materials. The preservation of existing vegetation was a priority; nearly all trees were retained. Two trees in poor condition were removed, while a large Zelkova and a Carpinus were carefully excavated and replanted in the forest area.
A diverse range of 78 tree species was chosen, including honey locusts (Gleditsia triacanthos), willow oaks (Quercus phellos), maples, alders, Fraxinus, and swamp cypresses. The planting was selected to ensure a rich variety, making the forest appealing throughout the year. Both young and old can enjoy the blooming plants and wildlife at all times.
Reused materials, such as natural stone sourced from other locations, were maximized to ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly approach.
g) Overall Design
The Grote Markt of Genk is situated in a valley where the ‘Dorpsbeek’ flows underground. Due to the technical challenges and high costs of bringing the stream above ground, the decision was made to mimic its surface flow visually. The valley’s visual characteristics were restored by sloping the terrain towards the newly created Wadi. This approach will continue to the town hall with the implementation of two other projects.
The design intentionally features a rustic appearance and simplicity, creating a harmonious environment that invites exploration and relaxation. Ambient lighting was installed in the play area to enhance the atmosphere in the evening, with the ability to change colours, while no lighting was placed in the forest area to give nature maximum peace.
h) Impact on the Environment
The impact on the environment is substantial. The area now radiates more tranquillity and warmth, becoming a space that attracts more visitors while ensuring nature has ample opportunity to thrive.
i) Innovation Value of the Project
We have evolved from a massive concrete square (70% paved) to a pleasant green space. As the greenest city centre in Flanders, we previously had a very hardened centre, contrasting sharply with our green areas. With this project, Genk is pioneering depaving and redevelopment in Flanders, as initiated by the Flemish government.
We aim not only to improve our centre but also to serve as a model, motivation, and encouragement for other cities and municipalities to embrace sustainable greening initiatives.