water management
Wilderpark: climate buffer and neighbourhood park
Wilderpark in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw is much more than a new neighbourhood park. Its development is the result of an innovative intervention with a collective focus on nature, water management and quality of life. Sweco was responsible for designing and monitoring the implementation of this multi-faceted project.
- Client
- The Municipality of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in association with AWV (the Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic), Aquafin, Fluvius, Regionaal Landschap Pajottenland & Zennevallei
- Location
- Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Flemish Brabant
- Expertise
- Urban redevelopment, landscape design, water management, project coordination
Green, biodiverse and functional
Wilderpark is designed as an accessible, green meeting place for the neighbourhood. At the same time, it plays an important role in preventing flooding. Four buffer basins were constructed to provide the Zuunbeek with additional capacity. They are separated by concrete weirs and allow rainwater to slowly infiltrate the soil or be discharged into the Zuunbeek in a controlled manner.
The park not only offers smart water management solutions, but is also designed to appeal to walkers, families and sportsmen and women. A walkway and playful stepping stones across the water afford the park a unique character. The natural design means that it is already teeming with life: frogs, dragonflies and other insects quickly found their way to this new biotope.
Wilderpark proves that water management does not have to be boring, but can be seamlessly integrated into the landscape. What used to be a wasteland is now a green meeting place where residents walk, get together and where children play. Being a local resident, every day I observe how the park enhances the quality of life and promotes contact between local residents. It is wonderful to see that I have contributed to improving the environment.
Gorike Vercauteren, senior project leader
Our integrated approach for Wilderpark and the N6
What makes this project extra special is the link with nearby Bergensesteenweg (the N6), where Sweco is also currently responsible for the design and site supervision. The rainwater collected on that busy regional road will be directed to Wilderpark via a renewed rainwater runoff system, where it will be buffered and slowly infiltrate the soil.
The integration of the sewerage project, landscape design and the creation of a multifunctional public space makes Wilderpark a fantastic example of integrated design. Our teams provided guidance for all these aspects from design to implementation, working closely with various partners and authorities.
The project in figures
- Four buffer basins with a combined buffer capacity of 2.9 million litres
- Eight standard trees, 6,000 perennials and 5,400 plants for forest planting and wood edges
- 12 kg of flower seeds for the flower meadow
Sustainable water management and future-oriented interventions
Wilderpark combines sustainable water management and a good quality of life. By locally buffering rainwater from the N6, it will slowly infiltrate the soil and avoid overloading the Zuunbeek. This system not only boasts a smart design, but is also future-oriented. The implementation is taking place in phases, with phase 5 starting in September: the installation of pipes measuring 4 m by 2 m.