This project reimagines a 46-hectare former mining site, part of a broader territorial development strategy. Thefirst phase focuses on a 12-hectare core area, aiming to improve accessibility and integrate a cycling route andgreenway, strengthening connections with the surrounding landscape.
Listed as a historic monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is envisioned as a multifunctionaldestination combining culture, nature, leisure, and economic activity. Building on its existing use for events andtourism, the project seeks to create a more open and inclusive place for local communities.
Selected in 2023 through the EUROPAN competition by the Communauté d’agglomération de La Porte duHainaut, the winning team (VIS-A-VIS, Ney and Partners, Eco’logique, Verdi, Elsa Liverani) proposes a strongecological transformation. The project includes the demineralization of approximately 250,000 m², replacinghard surfaces with vegetation and green infrastructure.
These interventions improve water retention, support evapotranspiration, reduce heat, and enhance biodiversity, making the site more resilient to climate change. By combining heritage preservation with sustainable design, the project transforms this industrial landscape into a dynamic, climate-adaptive, and attractive environment for the future.
