Members of the public can give their opinion on the five designs for the revitalization of Belgium’s longest shopping street – the Meir in Antwerp.
Belgium’s biggest high street – the Meir in Antwerp – will be redeveloped in future, and citizens are being asked to offer up their opinion on the five designs being considered. The public has until 16 March to weigh in, after which a jury will choose the winning design, taking the public’s comments into consideration.
The city commissioned five teams of urban developers to draw up a plan to repave and otherwise revitalize the famous shopping street. The pedestrian street is in need of repair, but the sewer system must also be replaced, so it’s an ideal time to change the look of the area, says the city.
The Meir will become more sustainable; there will be more green space, and the water will be recovered
City Councillor Ken Casier
At some 500 meters, the Meir is the longest high street in Belgium. Shoppers will not be burdened by this major redevelopment anytime soon, though; the project won’t begin for at least another three years.
“We do want to make the Meir more sustainable,” explains Ken Casier (N-VA), city councillor in charge of public spaces. “There will be more green space, and the water will be recovered.”
There’s no plan to change any of the shopping or restaurant options. “The Meir will still be a place where people come together,” he confirmed. “We want everyone who comes to spend a day shopping to also be able to get a bite to eat or have a drink.”
The first of five designs
The second design
The third design
The fourth design
The fifth design
The Leysstraat – which turns into the Meir on its eastern end, near Antwerp Central Station – and the Jezusstraat, which joins them to firm a three-way intersection, are also part of the development plan. As is the short Twaalfmaandenstraat, which leads from the Meir to the famous Handelsbeurs building.
“The Meir belongs to the people of Antwerp, so it’s important that they have their say in the plans,” says Casier. It’s also a place where most of the country shops at one point or another, and the ability to comment is open to everyone.