Flanders’ is characterized by scattered spatial policy that has resulted in great loss of energy, biodiversity, time, money and space.
The ‘Bouwmeesterscan’ is a tool to help signal weaknesses and opportunities in spatial policy for local governments, and translates these into a concrete agenda of projects and policy changes for the transition towards a healthy and sustainable living environment. Spatial decisions are connected to challenges such as the energy transition, the mobility shift healthy urban environments and a balance between ecology and productive open space.
Bocholt is blessed with a fantastic landscape, its many creeks make it a popular recreative destination. The lack of a clear spatial policy however, risks cluttering of this landscape and losing existing qualities. Another struggle are the two village residential cores, that compliment each other functionally, but are only connected by car infrastructure. The road currently is dangerous for cyclists, and both cores are excessively paved and offer little quality.
By focusing on the reinforcement of these creeks as ecological structures, and linking them to recreational routes, the main perks of the municipality are fully utilized. The village cores function as a base for these routes, and are designed accordingly.
The full report can be read on: Vlaamsbouwmeester.be
