More than a decade the city of Antwerp is working on her ‘Renovatio urbis’: the renewal of the city through punctual interventions in the public space.The quality of the public space is key. How can an old railroad yard be transformedinto the new hotspot of the city. How can a forgotten street and a railway viaduct become an important connection and a place full of life? How can protest by citizens be the engine that drives a city renewal project? Throughout various projects in Antwerp of the past ten years we explore how the renewal of a public space can be strategic for the city.
Bert Claes (B) is project manager for public space projects at AG VESPA in Antwerp, an autonomous municipal company for communal real estate management and urban projects. AG VESPA is, among others, responsible for sustainable and livable communal housing and public space projects in Antwerp.