A makeover for underrated sites

For several years now, housing prices in Flanders, and by extension Europe, have been soaring. There are long waiting lists for social housing and people are fighting for properties that they used to ignore. Especially in and around large cities. Liveable, affordable and sustainable residential areas are becoming increasingly scarce. Our property developer PSR is breaking this negative spiral and breathing new life into two underused sites.

Rives Ardentes: from world exhibition to future eco-district

More than 17 football pitches, that's how big the Liège district of Coronmeuse is. In 1930 and 1939, the district still hosted the World Exhibitions. In 2018, the city of Liège chose to collaborate with NEO-LEGIA, a consortium of developers Jan De Nul Group, Willemen Group and CIT Blaton, to convert this historic part of the city into a new eco-district. In 2022, Liege's mayor laid the foundation stone for the Rives Ardentes project.

A new residential area with all amenities

This new way of living in the city is a model for the future. The Rives Ardentes neighbourhood brings housing, working and living together in one place. There will be 1,325 different houses and flats in various typologies, as well as space for offices, local shops, restaurants and services, two crèches, sports facilities, and so much more.

Optimal enjoyment in green surroundings, without traffic

80% of the total area will remain open space and soft mobility will be given priority in this project. Cars will disappear immediately into an underground car park, with up to 1,000 parking spaces, when they arrive in the new district. Moreover, a new extended tramline will serve this eco-district. Rives Ardentes will thus become a car-free district with respect for nature and primary attention given to liveability.

A carbon footprint that is (almost) zero

Rives Ardentes aims for the lowest possible carbon footprint. That is why we resolutely opted for the construction of a local heat network where the entire eco-neighbourhood heated with residual heat from the Intradel incinerator in Herstal. An urban heat network will bring the heat on site, with minimal CO2 production or other waste on the site.

Dijledonk: from furniture factory to 15-minute neighbourhood

In the Kempen region of Brabant, the old, iconic Meurop furniture factory has decayed for years. The factory was a household name far beyond Rijmenam for its beautiful and affordable interiors. However, it left its marks in the soil, so some parts of the site are in dire need of remediation. Together with project developer COGIVA, we will turn Meurop into a rural and lively neighbourhood in the Dijle valley: Dijledonk.

A new way of life at Dijledonk

The site will feature a mix of villas, houses and high-quality flats with shared spaces, offices and neighbourhood support facilities for young families, start-ups and local retailers.

All of this with a strong eye for nature. Almost 80% of the area will remain undeveloped. Concrete disappears and will be replaced by green areas. There will be numerous squares, private and public gardens and flowerbeds, forming one big park.

We are also investing in sustainable architecture and infrastructure: Nearly Energy Neutral is the ambition, CO2 neutral the ideal. As for the buildings, the old industrial warehouses will disappear but we will retain the solid structure of the main building. This will form the basis for a renovation project. From the buildings that will disappear, we aim to recover as much materials as possible to maximise circularity.

A 15-minute neighbourhood

Dijledonk will be a 15-minute neighbourhood where all essential facilities for residents and neighbouring residents are accessible within a 15 minutes' walk or bike ride at the most. People are central and this vision leads to efficient mobility solutions. Finally, with its new offices and neighbourhood support facilities, the district invites local entrepreneurs and retailers to settle and grow there.