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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Peer Market Square Transformed with More Greenery and Uncovered Well

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The market square in Peer, Belgium, has been redesigned to be greener and more sustainable.
  • The project involved removing pavement, planting trees and greenery, and uncovering an old well.
  • The redesigned square now features more trees, plants, seating, and play elements, aiming to create a climate-resilient public space.

The central market square in Peer, Belgium, has undergone a significant transformation, emerging as a greener and more inviting public space. The city's initiative focused on removing hardened surfaces, introducing abundant trees and plant life, and revealing a historic water well, which has been restored. Mayor Steven Matheï described the outcome as "a cozy market square that is also future-proof."

a cozy market square that is also future-proof.

— Mayor Steven MatheïDescribing the newly redesigned market square in Peer.

The revitalized square now boasts an increased number of trees, diverse plantings, and ample seating areas. It also includes an open space for events and integrated play elements for children, such as stepping stones and natural play structures. The well-known pear-shaped pump, a local landmark, has been brought back into operation. In conjunction with the renovation of the nearby church garden, a total of 1,625 square meters of paved area has been eliminated in the city center.

"We have essentially greened the entire market square," stated a proud Mayor Matheï. "This means there is grass, but also that trees and plants have been added. It immediately gives a very different image. But it is also future-proof, because with the warming we are experiencing, it is pleasant to have a green oasis in the middle of the city where people can sit."

We have essentially greened the entire market square. That means there is grass, but also that trees and plants have been added. It immediately gives a very different image. But it is also future-proof, because with the warming we are experiencing, it is pleasant to have a green oasis in the middle of the city where people can sit.

— Mayor Steven MatheïExplaining the greening initiative and its benefits for the market square.

This redevelopment is part of a broader strategy by the city to enhance the climate resilience of its public spaces. By reducing paved surfaces, the city aims to improve rainwater absorption into the soil and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Peer is committed to removing a total of 5,000 square meters of hard surfaces by 2026, through initiatives like greening road verges and participating in the Flemish "Tegelwippen" (Tossing the Paver) campaign.

I hope it can be used more for walks or to sit on the benches. That wasn't possible before.

— A local residentExpressing positive feedback on the usability of the redesigned market square.

Local residents have responded positively to the changes. "I hope it can be used more for walks or to sit on the benches. That wasn't possible before," said one resident. Another expressed enthusiasm for the greenery, noting, "I especially love the green. It's pleasant and simply very good."

I especially love the green. It's pleasant and simply very good.

— A local residentSharing their positive reaction to the increased greenery in the market square.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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