Asphalt, cobblestones and traditional concrete prevent water from passing through. This both lowers the ground water level and increases the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. De-paving is the remedy. Structural works, such as the reconstruction of streets, already apply the principles of de-paving where possible. The goal is to standardise a new type of street, with more green space and trees, wadis for precipitation to infiltrate, permeable parking spaces and wildflower beds, depending on the location and traffic situation.
For de-paving private areas that belong to businesses or organizations, the city holds less influence. This initiative is in the hands of a network of sustainable front-runners who recognize the benefits of de-paving and urban greening. Large, paved surfaces such as parking lots, business parks and playgrounds offer a lot of potential for greenscaping. Leuven 2030 is mapping out which large surfaces in Leuven can be de-paved, and is bringing the owners of these sites together to get started.
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Who takes part?
Who are all the partners in the project?
Role of Leuven 2030?
In this breakthrough project we assume the following role(s):
Place in the Roadmap?
This breakthrough project is part of the following programmes of the Roadmap:
How does it work?
We want to make Leuven a green-blue-veined, resilient city. To accelerate, we are addressing large paved areas first. By combining maps of paved surfaces and property maps, we are cataloguing areas with high potential for de-paving, and identifying the owners. We are realizing this data-driven approach together with KU Leuven and BitaGreen.
Once we have mapped out our stakeholders, we will bring them together in a group that meets regularly to agree on actions and share the lessons learned. In this way, we create a motivating group dynamic of committed partners who want to move forward and make impact quickly.
Funding remains a challenge: measures to make the city climate-proof require investments, but the returns are often not monetised, or aren’t apparent but much later. Yet the social gains far exceed the costs. That is why we need a different approach to costs and benefits, one that includes social added value.
exploratory talks with owners of large paved areas
priority maps in progress
priority maps finished
we bring partners together and plan operations
task force at full speed
exploratory talks with owners of large paved areas
priority maps in progress
priority maps finished
we bring partners together and plan operations
task force at full speed
Why is this project important?
Even if we were climate neutral tomorrow, the effects of climate change will continue to be felt. Heat waves, droughts and floods – Leuven will be confronted with those as well. Preparation is crucial.
De-paving helps water penetrate the soil and combats the heat island effect, which makes cities hotter than their surroundings in summer. It also improves air quality, reduces the risks of flooding and drought, provides more green infrastructure for Leuven residents, and enhances road safety, for example using staggered tree pits. And above all: it improves the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.
By convincing more businesses and organisations to green their sites and open them up to local residents, we are creating additional green space for Leuven residents without gardens or terraces, who need it most and feel the effects of climate change the hardest.
The path of the past couple of months