Landscape park Frijthout

In the north-east of our municipality, bordering Boechout and Mortsel, there is a park area according to the regional plan. In 2007, the municipal council gave shape to this zoning with the Special Plan of Construction (SPC) “Frijthout”. The plan aimed for a natural landscape park with a focus on ecological connections, water management and nature enhancement.
Yet in reality, the land remained agricultural land for a long time, mainly for maize and grass. To bring the SPC to life, the municipality started negotiations with a major landowner. In 2012, it acquired a significant part of the land.
Frijthout has since been transformed into a varied mosaic landscape. There is room for open grasslands, hay meadows, hedges, thickets and scattered trees that provide shelter for numerous animal and plant species. What began as an ambition is now a reality: a green, accessible open space between three residential centres, furnished with sustainable materials and local plants, ready for future generations.

Urban and peri-urban areas

• Respect and/or improve the specific ecological characteristics of the area (e.g. the topography, the type of landscape, the local plant and animal life);
• Set up a biodiversity-friendly management system (e.g. rewilding, reduced mowing of parks, gardens, talus, ponds, no chemicals);
• As much naturalness as possible/as little alteration as possible of the initial landscape (landscape, quality of water, of soil, …);
• Use native species/subspecies that are more resilient and resistant to climate change, if appropriate.

Nature-based solutions

• Use nature/natural processes that support biodiversity to address the challenges related to climate change, water management (including flood management) and land degradation;
• Have respect for and/or improve the specific environmental and ecological characteristics of the area (e.g. the topography, the type of landscape, the local plant and animal life, …);
• Implement those natural processes in a way that is consistent with other actions undertaken to address these challenges (e.g. rehabilitate native plant species around water amenities that are set up to improve water management, …);

Management is done according to the type 2 nature management plan prepared for this area.