Adaptations improve operation of buffer basin along Kleine Beek in Nossegem.
Buffer basin Nossegem
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Proeftuin Sint-Jozef Roeselare
The city of Roeselare, in co-management with the neighbourhood, created a green meeting space around Sint-Jozef church.
Developing the green-blue network
The project
The grey area around the Sint-Jozef church in Roeselare was heavily reduced and replaced with green-blue areas. Avenue Azalea was narrowed. ‘Knips’, one-way streets and 30 zones were applied. Parking spaces were halved and there was a “Kiss and Ride” lane in front of the school. The intersections in front of the church were also narrowed and transformed into a green meeting space for the neighbourhood. There was a green area for small events, bicycle parking, a petanque court, a grassy area with a seating stand, play elements such as a beam course and picnic tables. For the paths, permeable paving was used or bricks were reused. The Lindedreef was retained. A flower-rich grassland was created below it. 22 new trees replaced 12 diseased trees. The greenery was all landscaped with attention to biodiversity. Part of the rainwater from the church roof is now infiltrated above ground into flowery, connected wadis with play elements. Another part is directed to an elevated basin where it is treated and stored in rainwater cisterns for reuse. The overflow from the basin runs to a wadi.
Project location
Roeselare
Contribution(s)
1 solutions
Project costs
Less than €10.000
Participant(s)
The design came about in dream workshops with the neighbourhood, the school, the OCRA and the Chiro. A temporary pilot layout with urban agriculture, petanque and picnic benches was also installed to gain more support. The final design was presented to the neighbourhood. Clear residents’ letters and 3D/360° designs that could be consulted after scanning a QR code hung on the central church provided clear and accessible communication to local residents and passers-by.
Use was made of the “Vlaanderen breekt uit” grant from Department of the Environment.
How are the criteria of the objective met?
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, …);
- Incorporate those natural processes into the surrounding area and environment;
- 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, …);
- Strengthen ecological connectivity between nature-based solutions and surrounding natural areas.
Possible initiatives in which the project is involved :
The project is not part of any existing initiative.
Long-term maintenance
A 24-month maintenance programme was included in the tender. Maintenance costs are estimated at €19,248 per year.
Benefits
This realisation ensured the enhancement of existing greenery by breaking up excess paving. Instead of 1600 m² of softening, a total of 7000 m² was softened, of which 2500 m² was additional greenery. Another 3,000 m² of permeable paving was also constructed in the area.
Efforts were also made to improve slow mobility. This brings an increase in liveability and climatic improvements.
This project is located in a residential area. It is important not to lose sight of the functionalities of this environment such as living, life, parking and exercise in order to bring this realisation to a successful conclusion. Here, good phasing of the works helped to limit disruption.
A feasibility study should show whether the school can construct a green playground.
A co-management was established that includes a public, private and collective partnership. The annual big Chiro activities, outdoor play day and ‘Dag van de Buren’ can now continue in a green environment. Part of the deconsecrated church will be opened to the neighbourhood to organise activities and events.
Other projects linked to the objective: "Nature-based solutions"
Reynaertwijk
A climate robust design that is future-worthy for people and animals.
Bunderplein Opwijk
Bunderplein as a green oasis for the neighbourhood.