Urban Policy Planning & Tooling
WALDEN: building a future where housing, landscape and nature reinforce one another
Together with Maat-ontwerpers, Plusoffice, Ruimtevaarder, Leidsman and Land Advocaten, Sweco has been awarded a framework agreement for the development of an intermunicipal housing study and spatial policy actions within the strategic WALDEN project. Through this assignment, we support the participating municipalities in the region between the Sonian Forest and Meerdaal Forest in defining the future direction for housing and spatial development, translating these ambitions into concrete actions on the ground.
WALDEN brings several municipalities together around shared challenges, including the growing demand for housing, economic development, mobility, recreation and nature conservation. Through an integrated intermunicipal approach, we are developing a future-oriented vision that creates room for development while strengthening the landscape, ecological and spatial qualities of this unique region.
- Client
- Province of Flemish Brabant, Municipalities of Bertem, Huldenberg and Oud-Heverlee, City of Leuven
- Location
- Brussels, Belgium
- Sweco scope
- Preparation of an intermunicipal housing study and spatial policy actions
- Partners
- Maat-ontwerpers, Plusoffice, Ruimtevaarder, Leidsman and Land Advocaten
What is WALDEN?
WALDEN stands for Wouden, Akkers en Landschappen langsheen de Dijlevallei Ecologisch laten Netwerken. This strategic project brings together the Province of Flemish Brabant, the municipalities of Bertem, Huldenberg and Oud-Heverlee, the City of Leuven and several regional partners around one shared ambition: strengthening the region’s open spaces and landscape quality.
The project area forms part of the Brabantse Wouden, one of Flanders’ three new National Parks. Its ambition is to improve ecological connectivity between natural areas, enhance biodiversity and, at the same time, create space for housing, economic activity and recreation.
Over recent years, a regional vision has already been developed for the Brabantse Wouden. The next step is the preparation of an intermunicipal housing study that will provide insight into the region’s future housing needs and spatial challenges. Based on this study, the ambitions of the regional vision will be translated into spatial policy decisions, plans and projects for the participating municipalities.
Creating space for development within a valuable landscape
The region sits at the intersection of several major challenges. Its proximity to Leuven and Brussels is placing increasing pressure on the available space. At the same time, the impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent, bringing challenges related to water management, drought, heat and biodiversity.
The participating municipalities therefore aim to establish a clear framework for future growth. This goes beyond housing to include economic development, recreation and mobility. At the heart of this ambition lies one key question: how can future developments contribute to the quality of the landscape rather than putting it under pressure?
By considering housing, nature, agriculture and open space together, an integrated vision emerges that goes beyond traditional spatial planning approaches.
An integrated approach to housing and spatial development
The WALDEN assignment goes far beyond a single study or policy document. Sweco and its partners have been appointed through a four-year framework agreement that supports the participating municipalities in a series of strategic assignments, including the intermunicipal housing study, spatial policy plans, spatial implementation plans (RUPs) and masterplans. The ambition is clear: to translate the existing vision for the Brabantse Wouden into concrete policy decisions and deliverable projects on the ground.
The first step in this process is the preparation of the intermunicipal housing study. Through our integrated approach, this study is developed in parallel with the strategic vision for the spatial policy plans, ensuring that housing, spatial development and landscape quality are considered together from the very beginning. Using research by design, we explore how the housing needs of the participating municipalities can be accommodated within existing urban centres and how future developments can contribute to a high-quality living environment.
A key principle is that housing policy cannot be separated from the spatial structure of a region. That is why themes such as landscape, mobility, water management, climate adaptation and biodiversity are integrated into the process from the outset.
This approach enables local authorities to make decisions that are not only relevant today, but also contribute to the region’s sustainable development over the long term.
Building the future together
An essential part of the approach is the active involvement of local stakeholders. Through co-creative WALDEN workshops, municipalities, residents, farmers, organisations and other stakeholders actively contribute to the further development of the vision.
This participatory approach ensures that local knowledge and ambitions help shape the project. As a result, it creates broad support for the future development of housing policy and spatial planning across the region.
A vision for 2035 and beyond
WALDEN’s ambition extends far beyond producing a policy document. The project aims to lay the foundations for a region where housing, nature, agriculture, recreation and economic activity reinforce one another.
Successful implementation will enable villages to grow in a high-quality and sustainable way while preserving and further strengthening the open landscape and the unique identity of the Brabantse Wouden.
Together with the Province of Flemish Brabant, the municipalities of Bertem, Huldenberg and Oud-Heverlee, the City of Leuven and the other project partners, Sweco is committed to a long-term programme in which housing, spatial development and landscape quality are addressed as one integrated challenge. Over the next four years, we will apply our expertise to translate WALDEN’s ambitions into policy instruments, spatial plans and tangible projects that create lasting value for the region.