Deschacht is a partner of the ‘Green Deal Nature-Inclusive Parking Lots’
Green Deals are an initiative of the Flemish government to make businesses and sectors greener. This DMV. voluntary, ambitious agreements between companies, organizations, and the government to work together in the short term achieve sustainable actions.
Green Deal Nature-Inclusive Parking Lots
Of ‘Green Deal Nature-Inclusive Parking Lots’ connects all involved partners to make lush green parking lots the norm.
Traditional parking lots have a lot of untapped potential. By transforming paved areas into nature-inclusive versions we help biodiversity forward, reduce urban heat stress, and give floods no chance.
A lack of knowledge on the one hand and policy obstacles on the other often make designs insufficiently ambitious. How do we transform grey and paved parking lots into biodiverse and climate-friendly places?
The Green Deal falls under theFlemish Action Plan for Wild Pollinators 2022-2030that aims to counteract the negative population trend of wild pollinators. Therefore, extra attention will be paid to boosting biodiversity and creating space for wild pollinators.
Increasing biodiversity can be achieved by planting trees and hedges if they are beneficial for pollinators and providing space for nest boxes or insect hotels. Permeable materials and wadis allow water to seep back into the ground.
The deal as kclimate lever for change
Parking lots can become a climate lever by increasing biodiversity, improving air quality, and regulating rainwater runoff. The Green Deal wants to establish nature-inclusive parking lots asintroduce a new norm and develop a clear policy vision and instruments for this purpose.
Initiators of this Green Deal are Nature neighbor in Natuurpro. About 60 partners – including Deschacht – have since committed to this Green Deal.
As a specialist in water management solutions, we continuously invest in the development of sustainable systems.
The Drainix®, a patented water-permeable paving, is recent proof of this. Drainix® is a cast-in-place reinforced concrete grass paver and is the perfect mix of a classic plastic (lightweight) and concrete (strength) grass paver. Among other things due to the integrated reinforcement, Drainix® is a perfect solution for public spaces, parking lots, and similar areas where heavy loads are inevitable.
Drainix® was recently installed in a pilot project – developed by the City of Damme and Engineering Firm Lobelle – for the construction of a nature-inclusive parking lot with a focus on biodiversity and the bee population.
The City of Damme wants to position itself as a slow city. That is a city with a focus on the human scale, sustainability, and a high-quality environment. Bee species of all kinds make an important contribution to achieving this goal. That is why the city already started a campaign in 2015 to raise awareness of the bee population, resulting in a Damme bee garden. Today, the city is going a step further with the creation of bee-friendly parking spaces.
The parking lot is made up of foundation strips with Drainix, alternated with rows filled with sand. The Drainix reinforcement connects the strips together and provides the parking lot with the necessary stability and strength for heavy traffic.
Bustle-friendly
The sand infill gives the bee population the opportunity to dig their nests in the soil. Depending on the species, this nest lies at a depth of 5 to 60 cm. With a fully founded parking lot, this possibility does not exist. When installing a classic grass paver, there is a risk of subsidence.
In short, a sustainable solution that fits within the objectives of the Flemish action plan for wild pollinators.
Eleven solutions
Drainix
More info about Drainix?
Contact Brecht De Meyer, our product specialist