Leuven - Park Leuven

H+N+S landscape architects and Artgineering worked together to develop the plans for the new park. At the request of the client, both teams were asked to combine the best aspects of their submission and continue working together on the project.

Park Belle Vue was the final phase in the masterplan for the station area in Leuven. In 2008, H+N+S landschapsarchitecten was named the laureate for the Open Call project. The project area consisted of a 750 m long and 50 m wide residual zone between the core of Kessel-Lo and the railway, with a prominent place for Martelarenlaan. In the design, this wide avenue was narrowed and semi-underground against the railway, giving the residual zone a green interpretation.

The park was given green accents at the two heads and two mineral accents at the intersection of the main routes, designed as meeting places. The remaining space can be filled in flexibly.

The regional cycle route through the park connects park Belle Vue with other green areas and, partly due to the new cycle tunnel under Tiensesteenweg, forms a link between the station area and Park and Haasrode Abbey and a fast and safe route between Leuven and Tienen.

H+N+S landscape architects and Artgineering worked together to develop the plans for the new park. At the request of the client, both teams were asked to combine the best aspects of their submission and continue working together on the project.

This study and its implementation will be part of the ‘Kop van Kessel-Lo’ urban design plan, which
covers the entire area between Diestsesteenweg and Tiensesteenweg, including the zone between
Martelarenlaan and the railway. A spatial implementation plan is being drawn up for this area.
The northern section of this zone, between Diestsesteenweg and Karel Schurmansstraat, will be
developed first.
This commission concerns the southern section of the zone.
The ‘Kop van Kessel-Lo’ urban design plan provides a service road for local traffic in this zone, which
will run along the existing buildings. The ‘Martelarenlaan’ main road will be sunk into the bank along
the railway yard. Between the two roads will be a park, ranging between 28 and 35 metres wide. The
links to Koning Albertlaan and Tiensesteenweg also come under this study.
The contract comprises the entire process, from the design study to the construction phase, for the
roads, sewerage and park, with a particular focus on
- successful integration of the park into its surroundings
- an interesting plan for the park
- a well thought-out link to the pedestrian bridge crossing the tracks to Provincieplein
- integration of this southern section of the Kop van Kessel-Lo project into the overall project
- good solutions for traffic flow on the service road and the links to Koning Albertlaan and
Tiensesteenweg