Wonderwoud Ghent: a new green hub at the city’s edge

For Wonderwoud, Sweco was responsible for the full design process: from concept development to technical detailing and implementation. Together with Driekwart Groen (nature‑inclusive design and development visions) and URA (architecture of the lookout tower), we designed an evolving, playful landscape where nature takes the lead.

A new green hub for Ghent

The project is being realised for the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB), in collaboration with the City of Ghent and the Municipality of Lochristi. The site will expand to around 200 hectares by 2035, making Wonderwoud one of the largest green hubs in Flanders. Wonderwoud responds innovatively to relief, water, soil and spontaneous vegetation. The design choices — centred on play, wonder and natural development — ensure that Wonderwoud is not a traditional park but an evolving landscape where visitors can continuously discover new places.

A landscape shaped by sand, water and forest

The former “Old Airfield” forms the foundation of Wonderwoud. The high sand hills, emerging forest zones and wetland areas defined where visitors can wander, play or enjoy nature. Across the growing woodland, numerous elements emerged:

• playful forest nests inviting exploration
• hidden spots among young trees
• adventurous routes through sand and greenery
• a lookout tower offering views of Ghent’s three iconic towers

A global landscape design with room for nature

After extensive dialogue with all partners, the designers developed a robust development vision for the green hub. This vision sets out the principles and guidelines for the evolution and global landscape design. This green hub is not a traditional park but a playful and growing forest that continually sparks wonder about the interplay between soil, water and nature.

The design responds to the site’s relief, water, sand and spontaneous ecological processes. The elevated runways of the former airfield are transformed into a densely vegetated “Wonderwoud” with hidden spots, wetland nature and playful routes. Beyond this core, open space is reserved for agriculture, vegetated ditches and small landscape features.

Participation: Wonderwoud grows with the neighbourhood

• Children helped shape the forest nests
  More than one hundred primary school pupils contributed ideas for the forest nests. Their fantasies — from Owl Trampolines to Mole Slides — inspired the playful elements that were ultimately realised.
• Residents and farmers joined the dialogue
  Local residents were extensively informed during a well-attended info market with 165 participants. A separate session was held for farmers, and the project’s evolution was widely communicated online.
• Green safaris brought the new forest to life
  During the green safaris, visitors received an exclusive first look at the new area. They climbed sand dunes, played with giant beach balls and enjoyed views from deck chairs. At the water body, nature enthusiasts could observe birds guided by experts explaining local fauna and flora.

Spontaneous nature development as a driving force

The soil of the former airfield has been reworked many times and will continue to be reshaped for the green hub’s future development. This creates a deliberately varied topography and triggers spontaneous nature development. The resulting soil and relief structure enables site‑specific vegetation and habitats to emerge  Not a chaotic mix of disparate ecosystems, but a harmonious arrangement of interconnected biotopes. This avoids a “park effect” and ensures a strong natural experience.

Almost nothing is planted in Wonderwoud. Nature leads the way and develops spontaneously. Birches and willows begin to sprout, and flower‑rich grasslands emerge. Wonderwoud consists of dry deciduous forest, swamp forest, a mix of sandy and grassy open spaces, and numerous small and large ponds. The terrain’s relief and unique water management create habitats for many plant and animal species, including those struggling elsewhere, such as the sand martin and the kingfisher.