In today's climate crisis, we no longer want to just admire nature, but actually protect it. Our soil plays a key role in this. Because when soil is healthy, it provides us with all kinds of 'ecosystem services': from the fresh vegetables on our plate to the cooling effect of shade trees during a hot summer to pure (drinking) water. So it's time to give it the care it deserves.

Soil in the lead role

Soils are literally and figuratively a foundation of our ecosystem services. Because of their self-cleaning capacity, they purify a large part of polluted groundwater. Moreover, it is home to many organisms as well as a huge storage place for CO2. In other words, the more space and freedom our soil is given, the more we can combat CO2 pollution. Thoughtful soil management is therefore essential in our fight against the climate crisis.

How do we put this into practice?

Urbanisation and concreting only seems to be increasing in recent years, which adds to the need for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services. Last year, Kristel Lauryssen, Project Leader Environment, and Siebe Puynen, Project Leader Urban Planning & Mobility, spoke at several conferences about (the need for) soil care. Each time, they clarified how our soil is a decisive factor in processes such as water storage capacity, cooling in the city, cultural services, healthy living environment... Here, they highlighted three of our urban planning projects.

OPEN Brussels

Brussels has been committed to more sustainable urban development for years. At their request, we teamed up with BUUR and Hesselteer to develop a comprehensive vision for the Brussels metropolitan area (fig. right). By creating a strong open space network, the region is preparing for the future and strengthening biodiversity and ecosystem services in that region. In doing so, they are gearing up for climate transition and giving Brussels residents more breathing space. Read more >

Visualisatie voorontwerp Pomppark Zuid

City of Antwerp

We are also deploying soil ecosystem services in the construction of the ring parks in Antwerp (fig. left). The city's mission is to create a healthy living environment. Creating a green connection is a preparation for covering the ring road (Oosterweel connection). Within the landscape design, there appeared to be some concerns. Firstly, rare vegetation and soil seed banks had to be preserved during earth moving. In addition, forest planting was also considered to optimise climate resilience. By finally deploying a smart bioswale chain system, effectiveness was ensured with these artificial soils. This way, our consultants set the course for sustainable soil and water management. Read more >

Province of East Flanders

The Ghent region is targeting the year 2050 to make urban development and the water ecosystem sustainable (fig. right). Together, we found plots of land that had not yet been investigated for possible soil pollution. We also mapped the link between the (potential) soil contamination and the proposed measures for improving the water ecosystem. This yielded a nice result, as we saw that strengthening soil- and water-related ecosystem services can leverage soil remediation. Read more >

lievegem_nieuws_2020

We are happy to help you on your way

Soil stewardship refers to the management of soil as natural capital. It is relevant not only for public administrations, but also for businesses and individuals. That is why it is one of the main pillars in our Climate Compass, a guide for optimising business processes and business sites. Our experts are happy to steer you towards balanced and sustainable soil management.