The publication Innovative City Port provides a long-term vision, a strategic framework and development strategy for the northern part of Eilandje and Steenborgerweert, Antwerp.
Eilandje phase 2-eiland, Kempeneiland and Asiadok- Oostkade) and Steenborgerweert together form an area in transition between the city and the port. How can this area develop into an Innovative City Port? The Innovative City Port’s ambitions are: economic activities will, also in the future, take place in the area; the area becomes beter connected to the city and it benefits optimally from the link with the port and the water.
Method
By means of 40 interviews, the perspectives of stakeholders in the area and experts in various relevant domains were mapped out. Next to this, input was gathered from policy documents and literature on socio-economic trends, societal challenges, and inspiration found from similar (city port) areas elsewhere.
The insights out of this input were discussed, sharpened and enriched during two workshops. In these workshops, experts and enterpreneurs from both inside and outside the area jointly thought about the future challenges and opportunities of the area.
Four economic subsectors and six principles
The input and workshops led to the definition of four economic subsectors for the area: (1) logistics 2.0, with added value, (2) port-related services, (3) manufacturing industry, and (4) test and maker space.
Furthermore, six principles were established that will guide the spatial and organizational aspects of the Innovative City Port. These six principles are:
- The Innovative City Port strengthens the connection between the city, the port and the economic zone Albert Canal.
- The innovative City Port is a testing ground for the new economy, with a focus on innovative techniques and the circular economy.
- The Innovative City Port contributes to the job creation for both technical and theoretical skilled workers.
- The Innovative City Port focusses on sustainable transport flows for people and goods.
- The Innovative City Port encourages compact use of space; stacking of spaces becomes the norm.
- In the Innovative City Port the planned blue-green corridor will be included and the (public) space will be constructed in a climate-adaptive way.
strategic framework, drawing by 1010 Architectrue Urbanism
Future development
For the future development a strategic framework and development strategy was set up. The strategic framework indicates which structures will determine the step-by-step spatial transformation. Furthermore, it will guide spatial development, by offering sufficient flexibility to interact with new planning documents and to integrate challenges from current and future users. The development strategy sets out a path to start the development of the Innovative City Port today.
For this project David Dooghe cooperated with 1010 Architecture Urbanism (project leader) and Drift, for transition.