Antwerp Ring Road covering wins international architecture prize
The planned covering of parts of Antwerp’s Ring Road has won a prestigious Future Projects Award from British architecture magazine The Architectural Review. The prize recognises international projects that have not yet been completed but are considered capable of having a major future impact on communities and the urban environment.
The award was granted to design firm ORG, led by intendant Alexander D'Hooghe, for the project’s design vision, social impact and collaborative approach.
The covering of sections of the R1 forms part of the Toekomstverbond (Future Covenant), the 2017 agreement between the Flemish government, the City of Antwerp and citizen groups including Ringland, stRaten-generaal and Ademloos. The agreement followed years of disputes over Antwerp mobility plans and the long-debated Oosterweel connection.
Alongside the construction of the Oosterweel link itself, the agreement includes investments in public transport, cycling infrastructure, liveability and the creation of new green spaces above parts of the motorway.
The project aims to reconnect neighbourhoods currently divided by the Ring Road by creating new “ring parks”, public spaces and pedestrian links. It is also intended to reduce noise and air pollution in the surrounding districts.
Work on the first sections has already begun alongside the wider Oosterweel works, with parts of the new ring parks expected to open by the end of this year or early next year.
Recognition for collaborative approach
According to the organisers, the project stood out not only for its sustainability ambitions and social value, but also for the extensive consultation process involving authorities, experts, residents and action groups.
“This is valuable recognition,” D’Hooghe said. “This award recognises not only the ambition, scale and relevance of the project, but also the method behind it. We therefore also thank all partners with whom we collaborate in this co-creative transformation of the Antwerp region.”
#FlandersNewsService | Antwerp Ring Road © BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS
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