From wastewater tank to blue-green lifeline

In each edition of the City in the Spotlight section, we let a city or town council have its say, and sound out the initiatives being taken to enhance nature experience, biodiversity or green management. Toon Vandeurzen, Genk's alderman for the environment and sustainable development, focuses on the Stiemervalley.

The Stiemervallei runs like a blue-green vein along and through Genk, from its source at the old and as Thor Central resurrected Waterschei mine site, through SportinGenk park and C-Mine, among others, to nature reserve De Maten. "Despite its significant route, the Stiemervalley has long been ignored," Vandeurzen admits. "In the 1970s, the stream was impounded and sewer overflows were connected to it. As the city grew, the watercourse had to swallow more and more sewage as a result."

One master plan, four subprojects

To prevent polluted water from entering De Maten, a sluice is closed today after intense rainstorms, but a more integrated and climate-robust solution should unfold in the coming years. "In 2019, the master plan for the Stiemer Valley was finalized. As far as I am concerned, its implementation is the most important project of this legislature."

Four subprojects will determine implementation this legislature. "Gardens of Waterschei" aims to create a green lung, in which nature development, integrated water management, recreation and city and valley go hand in hand; with Suds & Soda, we are committed to capturing, reusing and infiltrating rainwater in order to relieve the sewage system and thus reduce the pollution of the Stiemer; the development of the Valley Route, a continuous bicycle connection, should connect the city spatially and mentally, inviting a varied experience and new mobility culture; and with the redevelopment of the Slagmolen area, we want to reconnect the for the time being fragmented green area of the Stiemer Valley and De Maten, as well as restore the hydrological and recreational value of the gateway to the nature domain."

Towards a climate-robust water system

The Suds & Soda project most directly addresses the core problem of the Stiemervalley, and the climate resilience of Genk as a whole. "For now, we are focusing on one neighborhood of about 27.5 hectares for this, where we will make as many provisions as possible for rainwater capture and infiltration. This will include the construction of wadis in the public domain, but we are also trying to get residents on board creatively, so that they install a rainwater installation or soften their driveway. Afterwards, we will scale up this project to other neighborhoods."

Creating engagement

Connection with residents and entrepreneurs is a common thread throughout the four subprojects. "In and around the Slagmolen, for example, we want to create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs. On the other hand, in many cases we also depend on our residents. For example, the areas along the source of the Stiemer River are largely private property. They are gardens or, more often, the back sides of commercial and hospitality businesses. We cannot simply intervene there, but by taking targeted actions at the front of the streetscape, such as the construction of new green spaces and façade gardens, we want to involve and inspire residents and business owners to create space for greenery and nature again at the back of their domain as well."

"That also applies, by the way, to the development of the Valley Route. That not only creates a quality connecting route for cyclists and hikers, but also an involvement that is somewhat lacking at present. If we can ensure that people fall in love with the Stiemervalley, they will naturally take action to preserve the area."