Station surroundings are the new hotspots

Thanks to its central location and its human capital, Belgium occupies a unique position in Europe. To make optimal use of this ideal location our country must resolutely opt for sustainable transport, for instance by especially stimulating goods and passenger transport by rail. Increasing rail capacity is of course not enough. Quality station surroundings and efficient logistical turntables play an important role in this.

Additional rail infrastructure is not obvious

Whether it is about a new road, bridge or railway line, the building of new infrastructure often runs up against protest from local residents. And that is understandable. For a long time infrastructure has only been regarded as something functional. The train simply had to run from point A to point B, without considering the impact of these railway lines on the adjacent town or landscape. Infrastructure thus became a definitive and often negative element in the environment.

Personally I am convinced that new infrastructure in the form of railway lines can be integrated with the environment in a qualitative manner, so that the interventions do not become scars spelling the end of the town or landscape. It is therefore important that an expansion of rail capacity is not simply regarded as a technical and economic issue. To use the available space in Belgium in the most efficient and sustainable manner, this technical knowledge must be supported by a vision based on urban and rural planning.

Towns with ambition

Towns and municipalities have ambitions. They want to attract more residents, more jobs and more culture. At the same time towns want to remain accessible and liveable with lots of green and open spaces. It is therefore worthwhile to invest in station surroundings. The surroundings of a station bring sustainable mobility into the heart of a community and, because it is such an accessible place, there is an ever-increasing demand for intensive use of space in station surroundings. A balance between built-up/enclosed and empty/open space is therefore very important. By making intensive use of the space around a station, the area becomes livelier. An interesting mix is created between travelling, living and working. The availability of public transport can increase as a result, which increases accessibility. In such an environment it also becomes interesting to invest in dynamic activities such as theatre and conference space. Urban densification does not only mean built-up areas. Quality public spaces and green areas also play an important connecting role in the urban fabric. I am therefore convinced that station surroundings are often the motor for renewed urban development.

The search for value-add logistics

Belgium wants to be more than a transit country. Therefore our country must opt for sustainable logistics with added value. Thus the second railway connection for the port of Antwerp and the reactivation of the Iron Rhine route are essential. But the harbour as well as the transfer platforms situated further inland, must be more than multi-modal platforms. It is true that goods must be quickly transferable from one means of transport to another. But it would be better if these goods were to be finished, improved or adjusted for the various end markets at the same time. Just as in urban station surroundings, more activities must be combined at such a logistical junction. And here, too, a good urban location is essential. 

In addition a longer term vision is needed. The investments that are required to launch our country to the logistical top of the European regions cannot produce results within one term of government. Future governments will also need to make this an important policy theme.

Integrated thinking is the future

Parochial thinking, confined by terms of government or administrative borders, obstructs a future-oriented mobility policy. (Rail) infrastructure, economy, sustainability and urban development go hand in hand. Also in my own company I focus on multi-disciplinarity. Thus, interaction between mobility experts, urban developers, (landscape) architects, engineers and other specialists is essential in order to arrive at innovative ideas. Environmental research and an integrated vision are crucial for all the ideas which Euro Immo Star and Eurostation are putting into practice. I personally find it equally important that the vision which is developed does not founder as yet another paper plan, but that it becomes a tangible reality in the form of beneficial projects.