We are increasingly facing the negative consequences of excessive paving. Just think of the historically dry summers and floods of recent years. In the recent heatwave, cooling by extra greenery and water also proved more than welcome, but for that we need more depaving and limitations on soil sealing. So what exactly is depaving? And what can we do to curb the effects of hardening?

Evy De Wilde
Evy De Wilde Senior Advisor Contact opnemen

What do we mean with limitations on soil sealing and depaving?

Technically, this means removing hard surfaces, such as street tiles but also buildings and asphalt. We then green the softened surfaces by, for example, planting trees or creating water catchment areas (such as wadis). Because rainwater can infiltrate the soil again and the greenery brings cooling, we restore several ecosystem services. For the Alsembergse Beemd Nature Park, for example, we have focused on greening the area, reducing water flooding and scarcity.

From loose initiatives to a structural approach

For a study commissioned by the Department of Environment, we mapped all initiatives around depaving. There were a lot of them, but they turned out to be rather fragmented without concrete goals or methods. Some promote depaving through regulations and permits, while others focus on awareness and knowledge dissemination.

Despite these many actions, it has not yet become a common trend. Therefore, to achieve real results, we should not just look at the tip of the iceberg. With the findings of the study in our pocket, we proposed a structural approach so that all those initiatives actually have an impact on the degree of paving in Flanders. So that calls for a well-considered policy.

How do we put revegetation higher on the agenda?

Revegetation is not a nice-to-have, but should be the starting point in any development project. Not only to enhance the living environment, but also the mental and physical well-being of residents. A systemic approach helps us explore opportunities, obstacles and needs and devise viable strategies. 

Second, we need a mindset shift, from both policymakers and local people. As a research company, we play a big role in this, and you can see this in projects like Bomen zijn cool ("Trees are cool"). With citizen participation projects like this one, among others, we make people increasingly aware of the social importance of depaing and greenery. We are shifting the focus from the disadvantages of paving to the advantages of greening. This positive approach brings about more willingness to cooperate towards the common goal.

Towards a targeted policy on limiting soil sealing and depaving

Although depaving is today increasingly seen as an important objective in spatial, stormwater and climate policy, we must unfortunately note that hardening is still increasing per hectare. A strategic approach in which interconnecting opportunities are fully exploited is therefore really necessary. Public support simply does not come naturally, and it requires continuous and long-term efforts to turn the tide.