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Skieve Park

Gradient Ocean

Keith Swenson

Sep 1, 2023

Belgium

Categories:

Parks, Citizen Participation, Adaptive Re-Use

Originally published October 5, 2021.


“The Brussels Times”, Arts and Culture Section, July 23,2021, titled: “From Illegal Parking to 'Skieve Parck', Brussels Transforms Slopes of Justice Palace”, by Maite Chins.


This article, and the accompanying eye catching, aerial photograph of the site, grabbed my attention. The photograph shows the narrow linear site, a former illegal asphalt parking lot, now as an artfully painted, multipurpose park. The short article clearly illustrates how creative City/Citizen interaction is turning an urban headache into a community asset.


The City of Brussels eliminated the illegal parking area and worked in close coordination with local institutions and citizens groups to organically develop a truly “Citizens Park”. The City government seeded the project with a 50,000 Euro allocation to develop five “temporary” activity centers on the site ranging from a climbing wall to a sandy beach. As neighborhood residents, office workers and visitors engage in, and take ownership of the space, they will be able to actively participate it's evolving design and utilization.


I highly recommend this brief, fascinating article. I live in a low rise apartment complex located in a small, suburban city, adjacent to a burgeoning downtown. Currently, sixteen, 20 - 40 story residential, office and multiple use buildings are under construction in it's downtown. The Brussels “Skieve Parck” article immediately caused me to think “What If” followed by “Why Not”?


There are many examples throughout the world about repurposing underutilized land for the public good, for example, converting a few parking spaces in the city to a mini-park, converting tax foreclosed properties into community gardens etc. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination. And it does not have to cost much money. A community garden can be constructed at little cost with the help of volunteer neighbors. So... Check it out and let us know what you think. Is this creative idea relevant to your city of 3 million or village of 300? Or, maybe it's applicable to other situations in your community. Look at your community or just your neighborhood. What underused assets does your neighborhood have and what better purpose could be served? Let's talk.


The other interesting part of this article is the use of citizen participation to determine the different uses this new park would have. Everyone was heard and everything suggested was considered. Who would have supposed that people wanted a sandy beach? Almost certainly not the city government. That creative idea came from the people. It is fascinating to see the juxtaposition of the sandy beach to the historic buildings across the street in the photo. Perhaps the citizens will want something entirely different in a few years. The public participation process was probably fun to participate in and watch. And it ensures that people will use the public spaces they created.


There is a magic when you allow citizens to be creative and their government responds to it favorably. What will your community create today? The sky's the limit!


Photo Caption: Urban beach by Foyer des Jeunes des Marolles. Crédit: City of Brussels

Source:

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Catalog #:

0721.104.01.100521

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