Huldenberg Town Square Renovated: Spring Water Flows Again to IJse River

The Gemeenteplein, Huldenberg's central town square, has officially reopened after a comprehensive renovation aimed at creating a greener, more inviting public meeting place. The project, which began last year, focused on removing impermeable surfaces and reintroducing the natural flow of spring water through the town center towards the IJse river.

The newly redesigned square is now largely "unpaved," allowing for increased green spaces. Crucially, the spring water, which historically played a role in the community, with residents once washing clothes there, now flows freely towards the IJse. "The source isn't here, but near the Castle of Neerijse," explained Mayor Danny Vangoidtsenhoven. "The water no longer goes into the sewer but into the IJse. It was always an important place."

This restored watercourse now feeds into a green water buffer zone along the IJse's banks, designed as a recreational area for children. A key environmental objective of the project is to slow down the runoff of spring and rainwater into the IJse, thereby preventing sudden surges that could overwhelm the local river and the larger Dijle river downstream.

The renovation project cost €1.2 million. As part of the de-paving initiative, some parking spaces in front of the town hall have been removed and will not be replaced. The mayor assured that sufficient parking remains available, noting that the 80 spaces located behind the town hall are generally underutilized except during school drop-off and pick-up times.

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The source isn't here, but near the Castle of Neerijse. The water no longer goes into the sewer but into the IJse. It was always an important place.