The Groenplaats is the largest square in the historical centre of Antwerp and has a major historical and symbolic significance for the city. Together with the area around the 'Grote Markt' and the Meir-De Keyserlei axis (the 'Via Sinjoor'), this square is the perfect meeting-place for the city's inhabitants and visitors. Antwerp city council would like to enhance the role of the Groenplaats as a place for events and leisure time. It is intended to become a multipurpose, simple, transparent and green all-seasons square where circulation for vulnerable road-users, the organisation of the public transport hub, the taxi rank and the connection with the underground infrastructure is geared to other functions such as the use of pavement cafés, strolling and meeting people, but the possibility of organising events on a scale with the space is also a precondition.

In its present form, the Groenplaats has a number of sticking points that put the quality of the public space under pressure. The existing trees have hardly been able to develop because of the poor conditions they have to grow in, and not all the street furniture is located in the most appropriate place. On the other hand, this square, because of its scale, central location and proximity to historical buildings, has the potential to be a high-quality public space.

Antwerp city council seeks a design that reconciles the functional aspects of the square with the desired recreational and leisure activities, while putting great emphasis on sustainability and manageability, so that the Groenplaats becomes an important and pivotal tourist-recreational point on the 'Via Sinjoor'.

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