5. Houtbriel and Sint-Nicolaasplein

Water shortage poses a threat to Flanders. We therefore want to do our bit to replenish our water saving pot, the groundwater. Because every drop counts!

The softening on Houtbriel and Sint-Nicolaasplein makes a difference: rainwater can infiltrate the soil again, the trees get more room to grow and our city becomes greener. Rainwater from the roof of the church is collected and used by pouring plants and cleaning the streets.

Together with our partners Forum Da Vinci and Turnkring Kracht en geduld, this project has been selected by Omgeving Vlaanderen as an exemplary project:

"The city of Sint-Niklaas wants to soften and set up green-blue at three locations. A residential area, being the Houtbriel and the back of the Sint-Nicolaasplein, the Forum Da Vinci school and the sports club Kracht en Geduld are being thoroughly redesigned. The school forum Da Vinci and the Gymnastics Circle Strength and Patience are partners in the realization of these projects.

With this project, another 1800m2 of pavement will be broken out. Each of these subprojects will look for the most efficient possible use of water. This leads to disconnections of the collectible rainwater from the sewerage system and buffering on site, the construction of wadis, additional infiltration zones, as well as reuse of rainwater. Subsequently, native, local planting is provided everywhere, with attention to the flowering month."

Continue via Ankerstraat and turn left at the protected shop De Walvis into Zamanstraat. On your right side you come to the entrance to the Zwijgershoek site with an open parking center and around it 3 museum buildings.

Sint-Niklaas