“Look closely at nature. Every species is a masterpiece, exquisitely adapted to the particular environment in which it has survived. Who are we to destroy or even diminish biodiversity?”

– E. O. Wilson

 

The Voer rises in the Sonian Forest and flows into the Dijle near Leuven. Today, this river has largely lost its role as an ecological corridor due to extensive human intervention in the landscape. The Voer forms part of the recently established Brabantse Wouden National Park, which, in addition to preserving the unique landscape and its valuable natural environment, is also committed to tourism and recreation.The brief  ‘towards a legible and functioning valley system with a focus on Bertem’ involves developing the Voer as a green-blue connecting artery and formulating a vision for the development of a recreational landscape network.

Additionally, I approach the brief from an ecological perspective in which animals shape Bertem. Based on the spatial needs of species such as the kingfisher, the bullhead and the otter, design solutions are formulated for the various challenges within this brief. This creates a single, contiguous habitat in the form of a valley park where both people and animals thrive.