Citizens who themselves take the initiative to work on their neighbourhood. It seems like a beautiful intention, which unfortunately is rarely realized in practice. Muide Meulestede proves this to be possible! Residents are the driving force behind a broad-based participatory design process in which the future of the neighbourhood is central. They drew up a shared agenda and made concrete action plans for better mobility, affordable housing, local economy and climate. New coalitions of citizens, entrepreneurs, associations and city services continue their endeavours to actually realize these ambitions and actions. → more

The Open Space Platform originated from a joint quest as to how we can better deal with open space in the future. Not as the residual space of an urbanized landscape, but as a lever for sustainable development. The Flemish Land Agency took the initiative here, with a stimulating outlook of the future to celebrate 25 years of land use. Six reredos depict the future of open space. This formed the start of what has since grown into a widely supported social platform operation.  → more

As far as urban renewal is concerned, Kortrijk has long been known as one of the best students in the class. Nevertheless, the city is struggling with a stagnating population growth, while currently houses are steadily being built and open spaces still being taken over. Kortrijk decided to convert the need into a virtue, and opted for a radical upgrade of the existing urban fabric. The urban development of the grandiose - with large-scale infrastructure projects - is no longer central. It is an 'urban development of the everyday', with a lot of attention for the improvement of the daily living and working environment of the Kortrijk residents. Hundreds of residents debated with each other for a year and drew a bold vision for the future of their city.  → more

Parckdesign 2012 radically reassesses what we can understand by a park. It is so much more than a traditional park or other forms of cultivated nature. Urban wastelands are central to this outdoor event. Bits of the city where nature, not man rules. A series of artistic interventions show the value these kinds of places have to offer, both for the city as an ecosystem and for local residents. → more

The International Architecture Biennale became the reason to rename the WTC I tower in Brussels' Noordwijk from a World Trade Center into a World Transformation Center. Artists, students, architects and many others temporarily occupy the office tower, which symbolizes the megalomania of twentieth-century consumptionism. Paradoxically, this place temporarily transforms into a new epicenter to develop concrete actions for a new and sustainable future. Among other things, the 'Proeftuinen Ontharding’ (Unsealing Testing Grounds) project, a transition program aimed at removing concrete, asphalt and buildings, sees the light of day here.  → more