Rewild the City: an acceleration in desealing and greening

Soil having as little sealing as possible and lots of greenery protects the city and its inhabitants from flooding, heat waves, drought and other consequences of the changing climate. The Rewild the City project investigates where and how desealing and greening can accelerate. In 3 pilot neighbourhoods partnerships with residents and companies are set up.

The City of Ghent and its partners Breekijzer vzw, Gents Milieufront, Hogent and the Universities of Antwerp and Ghent receive 5 million euros from Europe to realize the project. Other European cities (including Helsinki in Finland, Wrocław in Poland and Guimarães in Portugal) will investigate how to implement the Ghent solutions to their own regions.

Research

How to accelerate desealing and greening? What are today’s barriers and how can we tackle them? What are innovative ways to fund desealing projects? And can we address regulations that hinder desealing or encourage additional paving? The research questions within Rewild the City cover a lot of different aspects. The results should lead to a clear long-term strategy.

At the same time, existing and new maps play a crucial role. On this basis, the City of Ghent, together with the various partners, examines where the lack of greenery and the risk of flooding or heat are the largest. They then indicate the places where they want to deseal and avoid additional paving as a priority. 

Experiments in the neighbourhoods

Another part of the money will be invested in several projects in public space. These are spread across 3 vulnerable neighbourhoods. In Sluizeken-Tolhuis-Ham, a former industrial site will be redeveloped into a neighbourhood park. In Ledeberg, the playground of the primary school De Kleurdoos, and Blaes- and Ploegstraat will get a makeover. In those streets, 20 per cent of the paving will disappear. In the vicinity of Ottergemsesteenweg, Vlierstraat and the playground of the primary school De Vlieger are being renovated. At least one more spot will be added in each of the 3 neighbourhoods.

Together with the people of Ghent

Renewing streets, squares and parks is important, but the commitment of Ghent citizens is crucial as well. As much as 75 per cent of the paved surface in Ghent is in private hands. Rewild the City investigates how the local government, residents and companies can cooperate. Inhabitants from the pilot neighbourhoods are involved in the renovation of the public spaces nearby.  New methods will make it as easy as possible for them to deseal their own private grounds as well.

Budget

The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Urban Initiative (EUI) programme. It also receives support from the Province of East Flanders.

• Total project budget: 6.249.360,20 euro
• EU grant (80%): 4.999.488,16 euro
• Province of East Flanders: 196.279,00 euro