Planning ahead to deal with the consequences associated with the closure of a major industrial zone.

Seraing is a town that bears the strong mark of the Arcelor industrial group. Situated in the very heart of Seraing, this company has generated the Town’s wealth, which is known as the Iron City; the forthcoming closure of the blast furnaces in 2008 will contribute inevitably to the town’s decline. But Seraing has already taken matters in hand in order to plan for its forced restructuring and create a dynamic that is favourable to the emergence of private/public partnerships aimed at redeveloping the area into residential and business zones, as well as green spaces.

Seraing has commissioned AREBS, a research consultancy, which began its work by drawing up an inventory (a socio-economic diagnosis of Seraing). A further two studies have been commissioned from the urban regeneration experts. The first of these (September 2004 - June 2005) outlined a priority intervention zone called the “Seraing Valley”. The second (September 2005 - end 2007) is conducting a town-planning, architectural and financial analysis of the area. In parallel to this, AREBS is drawing up a preliminary funding plan with institutions such as the EIB and is setting up a management body to oversee the operation, which is designed to promote the emergence of private/public partnerships.

Rehabilitation of the area into residential and business zones, as well as green spaces. Mobilisation of the highly active local public and private forces as part of a unifying project.

The people living in the districts of the “Seraing Valley” (Ougrée).

Seraing has sought public funding (financial support from the Federal Belgian Political Programme for Large Towns and Cities) and from private/public partnerships. The Town has also been extremely careful to involve highly active local public and private forces and the town’s residents.

AREBS (Association de Redéploiement Economique du Bassin Sérésien)
http://www.arebs.be
Denis Collin, tel. +3243859520

01/09/2004

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Urban restructuring, Brownfield development