South Kempen's largest heating network heats sustainable housing project
Municipalities today are increasingly transforming themselves into resilient ecosystems to cope with climate change and natural resource depletion. With green-blue solutions and a new heat grid, they can both preserve biodiversity and reduce energy shortages. Since 2019, we have been working on a green access axis in Heist-op-den-Berg, from Averegtenlaan to Streepweg. This also includes the construction of the largest heat network in the Zuiderkempen, providing sustainable energy to a cluster of single- and multi-family houses.
The assignment
Property developer Danneels and the municipality of Heist-op-den-Berg share a vision of sustainable development and strive for a future-proof environment. To achieve this, they have an ambitious goal in mind: minimum paving and maximum green experience. This calls for the construction of a green-blue network, with a balanced ratio of developed and undeveloped space. To supply a new residential area with renewable energy, they also opted for a district heating network.
In addition, they wanted to pay more attention to creating green spaces, such as the construction of a large park. These green elements not only contribute to an attractive living environment, but also have positive effects on biodiversity and the well-being of residents.
The solution
Antea Group played an important role in designing a green-blue network, namely a green and wetland area. The result is a large central park with several wadis, where rainwater has a chance to soak into the ground. Where paths and residential areas proved unavoidable, permeable concrete paving stones were chosen so that water can infiltrate well into the soil there too.
We are also working hard to realise a district heating network, avoiding fossil fuels as much as possible. This heat network will serve as a renewable energy source and will supply hot water to the 19 single-family houses and 56 multi-family houses that will be built in the first phase of the project.
The project thus not only provides attractive housing opportunities, but also contributes to the conservation of nature and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Partners and collaborators
Antea Group is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly development, with green spaces and water management at its core. But of course we don't do this alone. The development of the area is a product of four years of intensive cooperation with the various stakeholders:
Project developer Danneels who drew up the master plan for this development
Municipality of Heist-op-den-berg with whom we collaborated to design the public domain and went through the permit process
Van Marcke Engineering whom we advised in designing the district heating network
Pidpa as sewer manager with whom we jointly designed the separate sewer system and rainwater infiltration system with wadis
Contractor Hegrola who, under the supervision of Antea Group, carried out the district heating network, sewerage and environmental construction work
SDG's
With this project, we support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals:
