Vicus Limosa

The Scheldt is unique in Europe due to its exceptional tidal action, which extends far inland. Unlike many canalised rivers, it largely retains its natural dynamics. This tidal character attracts a rich diversity of birds and forms a valuable ecosystem that deserves protection. For example, the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) returns annually to the Scheldt Valley, despite the fact that the species is under severe pressure from habitat loss and the consequences of climate change, such as prolonged periods of drought.

This increasing drought affects not only the black-tailed godwit, but also people. It puts greater pressure on drinking water supplies, agriculture and industry. At the same time, short-lived but heavy downpours increase the risk of flooding. That is why it is crucial to give the Scheldt more space and to develop its banks into a sponge-like landscape that retains water and releases it gradually. In this way, we increase resilience to both drought and flooding.

Based on this vision, I developed a design for the Alvat site in Buggenhout. Here, the tidal environment is integrated through the positioning of buildings, the architectural logic and the creation of a controlled floodplain. At the same time, the design draws on the site’s industrial past. I aim to reinterpret the collective memory of this place, characterised by the polluting factory: the factory’s design language lives on in a new residential area, Vicus, complemented by public spaces that open up the site to residents and visitors.

Instead of parcelling out the brownfield site next to the Scheldt without taking the river into account, I propose a Vicus Limosa: a living environment where nature, people and the river reinforce one another. Bird habitats, ecological banks, open water features and public spaces form an integral part of the design.