A crossroads of innovation and creativity
Along a stretch of more than 7 kilometres from Droogdokkeneiland in the north to Blue Gate Antwerp in the south, the Scheldt Quays in Antwerp are undergoing a thorough makeover. The quay wall consists of eight zones, each with its own specific stabilisation technique tailored to the condition of the quay wall and its future use. While we focus on water safety, the city of Antwerp is turning the quays into an inviting waterside location. The eight sub-areas are being redeveloped according to the Scheldt Quays Master Plan commissioned by the city of Antwerp, AG Vespa and De Vlaamse Waterweg nv. The latter will handle the stabilisation of the quay wall and the construction of a raised water barrier. The city of Antwerp and AG Vespa are responsible for redeveloping the public space. The work will be done in phases in the course of 15 years. In 2019, the Belvédère in Droogdokkenpark and the redesigned quay plain in the Sint-Andries and Zuid districts opened. The following subzones are under construction: the Loodswezen zone, the central section between Steenplein and Noorderterras, Sint-Andries and Zuid phase 3, Nieuw Zuid, Rijnkaai and Urban Activities.
As early as 1883, engineers noticed that parts of the quay wall were subsiding towards the Scheldt. This precarious balance was caused by the Boom clay beneath the wall's foundation and the pressure of the groundwater. Over the past 130 years, structural engineers have developed various solutions, all of which proved inadequate. De Vlaamse Waterweg nv worked on a permanent solution to the unstable quay wall as part of the Sigma Plan.
The Scheldt Quays always flood during heavy storm surges. Antwerp is very prone to flooding due to its location on the Scheldt. In the wake of the Gale of January 1976, a water barrier was built: a concrete wall 5.5 kilometres long and 1.35 metres high. Climate change and sea level rises have made it necessary to raise that water barrier by 90 centimetres. This will be done once the quay wall has been stabilised. The primary function of the water barrier is flood protection, but it obviously also affects the aesthetic of the quays. We are therefore combining these works as much as possible with the redevelopment of the quay plain.
Restoring the connection between the city and the river was a priority in the redevelopment of the Scheldt Quays. The Master Plan aims to restore the quays to an inviting waterfront residential and leisure area once again. The positions of the mobile water barriers in carefully selected places don't interfere with the beautiful views of the river, as they are only activated when there is a risk of flooding. In the zones in Antwerp city centre, the accessibility and views from the city are the most important aspects.
While we focus on water safety, the city of Antwerp is turning the quays into an inviting waterside location. The seven different sub-areas are being redeveloped according to the Scheldt Quays Master Plan. Each subzone will have its own character.
The first stabilisation work on the Scheldt Quays in Antwerp started in 2012. They are part of the Scheldt Quays Master Plan. This is a joint initiative of De Vlaamse Waterweg nv and the city of Antwerp. This will stabilise the historic quay wall, adjust the water barrier to the requirements of the Sigma Plan and make the public space more attractive.
