Creating permeable paths and water buffering ponds

The urban areas south of Antwerp are densely populated. Often localised flooding occurs after heavy rainfall. The Province of Antwerp and Streekvereniging Zuidrand teamed up with local municipalities to create semipermeable paths and water buffering ponds in 7 municipalities: Aartselaar, Borsbeek, Edegem, Kontich, Lint, Mortsel and Hove. 

The goal was to increase the accessibility of the local green areas with safe pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, while also increasing water buffering capacity and rain water infiltration in the participating municipalities. Since the start of the project more than 3 km of slow paths were installed and a water buffering capacity of more than 4.300 m3 was created.

But there are more benefits. They include better social cohesion through communal playgrounds and a higher recreational value of the areas where semi-permeable paths and wooden boardwalks are constructed.

Within this pilot, 8 investments have been made. The last one, creating an area of 1000 m3 for rainwater infiltration on the City Square in Mortsel, was finalised in 2023.

Read the in depth article about this pilot project in our newsletter here.