Agence Ter: Since 2008, Agence Ter Karlsruhe is working on the transformation of the former steel industry site in the south of Luxembourg. The area is part of a large spatial system made up by spoil heaps, topographical slope edges and natural and artificial watercourses. The 9.4-hectare park is located in the centre of the development area and connects the new neighbourhoods, which are characterised by different uses. There are two architectural interventions within the southern part of the park, a secondary school and a public sports centre, that is actually planned. All other parts of the site serve as high quality recreational space for residents, visitors and people working in the new district.
The site’s history and the few remaining relics of industrial use will be preserved and specifically staged. Topographically the most important element is the characteristic contour of the slope line. In an S-shaped curve it forms the landscape dividing it into a plateau and the around 9 metres lower parts of the park. Important visual references and path connections to the neighbouring areas are created from here.
The park’s design seamlessly integrates historical elements with a bold spatial reorganisation, creating a striking landscape. A row of poplar trees in the north of the plateau is a key feature and integrated into the design. The park is divided into linear gardens, connected by allys, rows of trees and walkways, ensuring each garden stands out and remains independent. In the design of the history garden, for example, the barely existing pioneer vegetation of the industrial area is taken up and the existing, heavily compacted soil of slag and slag sand is reinterpreted as an important historical artefact.
The interfaces between the park and its surroundings are designed as entrees that open up the park to all sides. In the north, the Canal Garden forms a threshold which marks clearly the entrace to the park. The Jardin Canal plays with colours and shapes as a reference to water and its enormous impact on the landscape. Its course traces the course of the piped Wënschelbach stream eight metres below, bringing it back to the plateau. A promenade running parallel to the Jardin Canal leads park visitors to a viewing balcony on the northern end of the slope, where a belvedere offers a view of the Wënschelbach and the neighbourhood opposite. From here, paths lead down to the main promenade at the water stairs, along the edge of the slope or into the park.
The park’s drainage needs a particular concept due to the existing geological situation and the former use as landfill site. Troughs, ditches and cascades are used to achieve this, starting from the plateau, crossing the delta, and ending at Wassertreppe – the water steps. This approach makes the water cycle visible to visitors and emphasises the ecological importance of water. New spaces with their own atmosphere are created through the design, such as the Jardin Canal and the Delta, which both function as design and hydrological elements.
There is a clearly structured network of foot and cycle routes connecting the park to the surrounding neighbourhoods and ensures optimal access. The park’s integration into the overarching open space system of BelvaI is seamless, with its various path networks consistently connecting it to the urban areas. The interplay of high and low points offers unobstructed views of the landscape.
The planning is being realised in several construction phases. The park grows in line with the surrounding neighbourhood development, creating a duality between the open space and the new neighbourhoods. Each expansion stage responds to new requirements and needs and new elements are added according to financial feasibility. The park is a dynamic space that adapts to the needs of the growing city and contributes to Belval’s quality of life in the long term.
Landscape architecture: Agence Ter
Year completed: Construction phases 1-3 completed in 2015, Construction phase 4 completed in 2022 Construction phase 5 planned
Photo credits: Agence Ter. de, David Laurent
