‘Groot-Sledderlo’ is an unfinished city neighbourhood consisting of two old agricultural hamlets ‘Oud-Sledderlo’ and ‘Terboekt’, and a social residential area ‘Nieuw-Sledderlo’ that has been developed according to a plan. The adjacent dense landscape of firs and the unachieved road network have intensified the isolated character of this part of the town. This isolation is even increased by the bad reputation of the neigbourhood caused by a high concentration of social housing and the big number of residents of Turkish origin.
The city of Genk organized a competition through the procedure of an ‘Open Oproep’ to elaborate the masterplan LO2020. This masterplan aims the creation of a context allowing ‘Groot-Sledderlo’ to be further developed into a new entity. The temporary association BUUR – BUREAU BAS SMETS won the first prize of the competition. Their price winning concept is based on a complete new vision, emphasizing the very strong meshing of landscape and urban development.
The existing dead end streets will be connected in order to become a network in the reals sense of the word. A neighbourhood loop will connect the existing and future neighbourhoods. The ‘Hei- en Meibos’ wood, enclosed by this loop, will be converted into a meeting place where the wood will be re-established in its authenticity. The combination of this central wood park and the neighbourhood loop will enhance the readability and the common identity of ‘Groot-Sledderlo’. Green corridors will connect the wood park to the valley of the ‘Caetsbeek’. The residential area along the neighbourhood loop will be integrated into the landscape structure and will maximize as much as possible the residential function within a green environment. The new housing developments will increase the critical mass. In combination with the valorization of the housing in ‘Nieuw-Sledderlo’ and the reinforcement of the center of ‘Oud-Sledderlo’, these new developments will provide all the ingredients for a better social mix and better commercial infrastructure.
The participation process is one of the major aspects of the masterplan LO2020. A well-considered process will support the implementation of the masterplan. BUUR has also been charged with the drawing up of the Spatial Execution Plan that will translate the guidelines of the masterplan into a legal frame for the development of the whole area.
