1010 Architecture Urbanism

In the 19th century, the close entanglement between port and city came to an end. Port activities moved to a northern area of the city. The public character of the quays along the Schelde disappeared. Recently, new efforts have been made to give the quays back to the city. After an initial utilitarian move that transformed the unique space into parking lots, new opportunities are emerging to highlight the important link between water and city, both from a symbolic and eco-systemic perspective. The complexity of the current situation should not be underestimated: There are water safety issues, there are new tourist developments related to the renewed attraction of cruise transport, there is the protection and renewal of heritage, there are civic initiatives, there are public and private transport considerations, and there is the ambition to improve the coherence of public spaces between the central station and the quays of the Schelde. Indeed, instead of complementing each other, these claims seem to conflict with each other, preventing the creation of a multilayered place that can be accessed and appropriated by all. The quality of the openness or the degree of inclusion of public space, should be further tested during design research, even if it takes place in the form of a temporary intervention. It is good to be able to make decisions and choose a performative public space.