Previous state
Near the centre of Ghent, a site of medieval origins belonged to the Malmar metallurgical factory for many years. The place was abandoned in 1997, the installations deteriorated, and the walls attracted urban artists like Roa, who became famous for his graffiti of wild animals. A colony of bats inhabited the zone.
Aim of the intervention
The aim of the project, which began in 2007, was to convert the disused industrial site into a neighbourhood residential space and green zone. Part of the old factory was transformed into the Bijgaarde, a public park that connects the residential project with an already existing park. A new park of two thousand square metres was created inside the walls of the old factory, with leisure zones, restored graffiti, and spaces for local fauna, including the bat colony. The design of the park also included a fern garden and meeting places.
One important aim was to conserve the former industrial nature of the place, so the park had to be created inside the old factory, keeping the original facades and walls as much as possible. Before work began, there was a temporary community garden project, which was to be integrated into the final design. The design work was divided into two subprojects. The first was to produce a master plan for the entire area and the second was to construct the park and its infrastructure.
Description
Throughout its extension, the park creates a connection between the housing project (on the northern side of the old factory) and the adjacent already existing public park. The new park is surrounded by the old factory walls but, thanks to some openings, there is a visual connection between the two parts. One significant aspect of the work is the graffiti art by Roa, which has been conserved and is visible for everyone. The design of the park is inspired by a fern garden with several zones that invite members of the public to sit and rest. The characteristic brick walls and metal beams are home to vines and climbing plants.
After being abandoned for so many years, the factory naves had become an ideal biotope for several rare species of ferns, and also a bat colony. The ferns were saved and replanted in the new park, while part of the cellar space was conserved and designed as a hibernation space for the bats. Special measures were taken to preserve the humidity level and additional shelter spaces were added to the walls.
Assessment
The project combines the industrial character of the place, its brick walls, and beams, and also the unique biotope of ferns, the bat colony, graffiti, and community gardens in keeping with the new use of the area as a park and space of coexistence. The ferns were successfully transplanted and have now formed a leafy green garden. Once the construction work was completed, the bats returned to their cellar.
Inside the park there is a special space devoted to the community garden. This project, which began with an initiative of local residents, has now become a meeting place. Part of the original roof of the old factory has been conserved, and rainwater is collected in three large tanks that are used for watering the vegetable gardens. After years of neglect, the former industrial zone has now become a place of community life for residents and a public park.
[Last update: 17/07/2025]
