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Labo XX Antwerpen
2013 — 2014

Labo XX Antwerpen

Study of the densification of the 20th century belt

Following a competition organised by the City of Antwerp, BUUR in association with ‘Futureproofed’, was selected with three other teams for the realisation of a prestigious research project entitled ‘Labo XX’. The mission included the development of a strategy for urban renewal and densification of the twentieth century belt around the city of Antwerp. The strategy aimed to create housing for another 100,000 inhabitants by 2030.

The belt around the city centre is as an amalgam of; monotonous neighbourhoods lacking a strong identity, fragments of industry, transformed historic towns, beautifully landscaped parks, undefined residual spaces, remnants of agricultural landscapes and so on. It was thus clear that all the elements were in place in order to create a quality urban environment, including: housing, parks and open spaces, economy and employment and local urban centres. We found a remarkable number of attractions at both the urban and regional scale.

Through creating links, BUUR studied the possibilities of progressively integrating existing functions to transform the belt into a pleasant and attractive area that is complementary to Antwerp’s city centre. In order to create distinguishable areas, it was necessary to define additional functions. The existing radial tramlines could be integrated by a north-south tangental line to form a ‘network’ at the local a urban level.

Through the study, BUUR analysed the integration of an urban system that is tangental to the existing radial network while looking at densification and renovation opportunities.

Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Labo XX Antwerpen
Code
LXX
Client
City of Antwerp
Team
BUUR + Futureproofed
Status
Mission accomplished