Leopold Park Extension

Programme

Redevelopment of the park and implementation of its extension.

The Leopold Park in Brussels underwent a trans- formation involving four strategic measures. The aim was to preserve and expand the park as a significant green space in the face of growing land privatization and development pressures. New access routes were created to give the park increased visibility and management of the water cycle was improved by installing a storm water basin to reduce flood risk. Additionally, a playful and enigmatic playground was designed with a giant sandpit serving as a rainwater filter. The design team approached this project with a commitment to governance and a focus on sensitivity to the context, history, and different uses of the park. In consultation with the client, the public character of the park was successfully protected and reaffirmed by using a design that balances social, environmental, cultural, and economic sustainability. The result is an improved park that enhances both its past and its present in the context of a more respectful, less artificial vision of nature. This project showcases the ability to successfully manage complex design challenges without ego while remaining inclusive for all members of the community and urban nature and respecting the planet’s limits.

Oana Bogdan