The redevelopment of the Grote Markt is an ambitious urban renewal project that gives the beating heart of the city a green and vibrant purpose. The square is being completely redesigned with a focus on accessibility, sustainability, and experience. Thresholds and obstacles are disappearing, while wide green edges and large terraces beautify the public space. Water features and an impressive number of 120 trees provide cooling and atmosphere. The work is taking place in three phases and will be carried out between May 2024 and the summer of 2025.
This renovated market will not only be the largest in the country, but also one of the greenest. The trees will be given optimal growing conditions thanks to innovative underground structures that protect the tree roots and distribute the pressure of traffic on the roots. The placement of the trees has been carefully planned, with double rows along the roadway and an extra row at a generous distance from the surrounding facades, keeping the historic architecture visible. The canopy will also provide natural cooling on hot days, while smart water management collects rainwater and reuses it for watering trees and fountains.
Deschacht as a partner in sustainable urban development
Initially, a lost concrete formwork was planned for the tree planting for this prestigious project. The plans reached Deschacht, after which the engineering department thoroughly analyzed and optimized the placement of the trees and the complete water management of the project. Thanks to a well-considered approach, Deschacht was able to achieve a more efficient solution with faster installation and lower costs. One of Deschacht's strengths is its logistical power: with its own fleet of trucks and ample stock in the branches, Deschacht was able to deliver quickly on demand. This was essential for the timely installation of the tree bunkers. Furthermore, Stadsbader received expert advice from Dirk Stuyven and Willy De Schagt at the start of the work.
Innovative solutions: TreeParker and Treebox
A total of 4 large tree bunker systems were installed around nine trees, providing approximately 375m³ of extra tree root volume. TreeParker is a modular system that ensures an optimal growing environment and prevents root heave. It also guarantees a natural water and air balance. The system is traffic-resistant, facilitates rainwater infiltration, and makes the integration of utility lines easy. A second crucial component is the installation of 2,500 m² of 15 cm high sandwich structures beneath the walkways. This is a pressure-distributing structure beneath the paving and above a rootable zone. Furthermore, these are filled with tree soil and substrate, which on the one hand prevents root heave and keeps the walkways nicely even, and on the other hand provides the trees with sufficient nutrients. In addition to the tree bunkers and sandwich structures, 2,500 m² of 8 cm high Treebox sandwich construction was designed beneath the lawn. This retention system captures infiltrating rainwater and allows it to rise back to the turf during droughts through capillary action, keeping the lawn green all year round. Thanks to Deschacht's innovative solutions, the Grote Markt will not only become a pleasant and sustainable meeting place, but also a model of efficient urban management and future-proof infrastructure.
Innovative first: Greenfix capillary retention system on the Grote Markt
For the first time, Deschacht has developed a completely proprietary capillary retention system on the Grand Market Square in Sint-Niklaas—an innovative solution that intelligently buffers rainwater and reuses it in the root zone of the new lawn. In collaboration with Sweco, Stadsbader Group, and LAMA landscape architects, the Greenfix system was built up layer by layer: a combination of our Starix EPDM geomembrane, capillary geotextiles, and retention crates that together form a sustainable, intelligent subsurface. This keeps the square lush and green even during warm periods without requiring additional irrigation. This first-of-its-kind project illustrates how Deschacht, together with strong partners, applies its expertise in water management to build climate-resilient urban projects where technology and nature reinforce one another.
