Development plan for residential development area Wakkerzeelsebaan-Ursulinenstraat Wijgmaal
20062
From 2021 to 2022
The social housing company Dijledal wants to develop a plot in Wijgmaal from 2023 onwards, which required drawing up a development plan with an energy concept and development strategy. TML ensured that the development plan strikes a balance between traffic liveability and the feasibility of sustainable mobility solutions.
Social housing company Dijledal wants to build on its plot in Wijgmaal, bounded by Wakkerzeelsebaan, Baron Descampslaan, and the railroad, from 2023. The Leuven spatial structure plan stipulates that a development plan must be drawn up for the entire Wakkerzeelsebaan - Ursulinenstraat residential development area before the individual sub-areas can be addressed. The aim of this assignment was to draw up a design plan with an accompanying energy concept and development strategy. The design came about in participation with the actors involved.
The result is a report containing elements on three scale levels:
- At the scale of the planning area, an urban design, an energy concept, and a development strategy were drawn up. A mobility test was also carried out that allows applicants for environmental permits to meet MOBER requirements.
- At the scale of the Dijledal plot, a more detailed development plan was prepared with accompanying guidelines.
- At the scale of the study area, recommendations were made which can be included in the programme for the area-specific initiative residential centre Wijgmaal.
The project proceeded in four phases. In the exploratory phase, the ambitions were defined for the various domains. In the test phase, driven by these ambitions, different spatial scenarios were examined. In the third phase, a prototype was developed by measuring (using sustainability metrics and key figures) and testing (with the various consultative bodies). Finally, in the last phase, the prototype was further refined and translated into a supported action plan.
Throughout the project, TML monitored the balance between traffic liveability and the feasibility of the development plan. The ambitions in terms of sustainable modes are high for this planning area. This is offset by Infrabel's ambition to suppress level crossings. Moreover, the new homes and functions will generate new traffic flows. TML looked for solutions that encourage active and sustainable road users and investigated the feasibility in the context of the existing traffic structures.
With this zoning plan and accompanying strategy, Dijledal can proceed with the construction of sustainable, affordable housing on its plot.
