© Séverin Malaud

The railway wasteland of the West Station, crossed by the railroad that bisects the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, offers an exceptional development potential. Within the framework of the Urban Renovation Contract of West Station, Brussels Environment was given the task to realize several projects.

The mission includes the complete design of a park with all its facilities and consists of 4 sub-operations:

  • the development and servicing of the site as a public park
  • the creation of a reception infrastructure
  • the realization of the section of the pedestrian-cyclist path C28 that crosses the site
  • the sketch design for a footbridge connecting the park to the future Beekkant square

The area of about 3 hectares should provide a green space that meets the needs of the neighborhood but also welcomes the metropolitan public from the surrounding neighborhoods. The new development should stimulate the existing ecology and preserve the character of this wasteland, with a progressive design in terms of biodiversity, water management and climate adaptation. It will also have to take into consideration the results of an intensive participation process and the temporary occupation of the site that is currently ongoing. Finally, the design for this park will have to incorporate sufficient flexibility to allow for a gradual and evolutionary development of the parcel and its surroundings.