Boulevard Clovis redevelopment

The Boulevard Clovis, in the heart of the 'Squares Quarter', is today a wide thoroughfare with an outdated road surface and an underused central reservation. The boulevard is located on the bicycle network route, but nevertheless has no cycle paths. The Boulevard Clovis has the potential to become an important soft mobility link connecting various green areas in the neighborhood.

In its reconstruction project, the City is therefore putting forward the following principles: an activation of the central reservation, intelligent greening and enhancement of biodiversity, slowed and discouraged car traffic, wider footpaths and separate bicycle paths.

A little further on, under the Boulevard des Quatre Journées, the railway tunnel continues. There, the central reservation has already been successfully transformed into a green pedestrian promenade.

Central reservation

The central reservation, now covered with grass and little used, is being transformed into a real pedestrian promenade. The promenade will be constructed in dolomite. The railway tunnel makes it impossible to plant trees on the central reservation.

Along the promenade there will be 2 long planters and 20 classic benches that fit in nicely with the heritage character of the quarter.

Six toys for children from 0 to 4 will be placed close to the day care centre. The playground will be covered with rubber.

Greening

18 different plant species are provided on the central reservation. Varieties of different heights, in different colors and shapes were chosen. Thanks to this varied greening, biodiversity will increase.

33 trees will be planted between the parking zones. The parking spaces will be covered with an open joint so that enough water can flow to the roots of the trees and the permeability in the zone is increased. They are planted in 11 m³ planters lined with blue stone.

Two different tree species were chosen for the following reasons:

• Promotion of (bio)diversity. Diseases often affect trees of the same species. By varying tree species, we increase their resistance to global warming and disease.
• Longer flowering period. The flowering period of the trees will extend over a longer period of time. That is good for pollination and pleasant to the eye.

There will be a collective vegetable garden near the playground.

Traffic

The intersection with the Rue de Gravelines (Grevelingenstraat) is a dangerous intersection that is mainly used by transit traffic. The presence of many schools and day care centres in this area and the new cycle paths reinforce the need for more safety at this traffic point.

It was therefore decided to cut the crossing of the intersection of the Rue de Gravelines and to extend the central reservation. This measure will drastically reduce transit traffic in both the Boulevard Clovis and the Rue de Gravelines and at the same time create a safe intersection.

By constructing the intersection at the level of the pedestrian path (raised platform), we stimulate the cars to drive more slowly while it becomes safer for pedestrians to cross.

The lanes for motorized traffic will also be narrowed to one lane of 3.2 meter wide in each direction. An elevated plateau will be constructed at the intersections and in front of the schools to make the area safer and to moderate the speed of car traffic.

Timing, procedure and works

The permit application for the reconstruction was submitted to the Region in May 2020 and was declared complete in December 2020. As part of the procedure, a public inquiry and a Consultation Committee were organized in early 2021.

The Consultation Committee gave a favorable opinion subject to conditions. The plans were adapted to these conditions and the permit was issued on 30 March 2022.

• Works at the Boulevard Clovis (from 10 October 2022)