CityD-WES reflects on 2023 and looks forward to 2024
In 2023 we further developed our brands CityD and DataD. CityD strengthens local and regional dynamics and focusses on City marketing en Centre management, Trade and hotel & catering industry, Spatial economics, Tourism and leisure en Real estate and area development.
DataD is an expert in marktet research & marketing strategy and makes companies market-driven so that they grow more sustainably and withstand competition better. DataD provides that edge with both quantitative and qualitative research.
Both brands can look back on a filled 2023 and in 2024 we will continue to assist dozens of companies, organisations and governments in their growth and development.
Reflection on 2023
In 2023, we got the chance to meet many new clients, but trusted companies, organisations and governments also called upon our services again.
CityD-WES Group has two offices (Bruges and Genk) and a team of experts in various fields. CityD guides and advises on:
- City marketing and Centre management
- Trade and hotel & catering industry
- Spatial economics
- Tourism and leisure
- Real estate and area development
DataD solves research related questions through market research and marketing strategy.
In 2023, we had projects in all our disciplines. A selection of (completed and ongoing) realisations:
- Area management of business parks for Houthalen-Helchteren and Heusden-Zolder: completion of vision creation
- Trajectory guidance for relocation of activities along the N74 road for De Werkvennootschap
- Citymarketing for Eeklo and Oudsbergen
- Business plan training programme for Netwerk Lokaal Sportbeleid
- Inspiration platform for busy centres ‘De Vitrine’ on behalf of VLAIO (The Flemish Innovation & Entrepreneurship Agency)
- Follow-up assignment: brand awareness measurement of international trains departing from Belgium such as Thalys, Eurostar and ICE for the NMBS (Belgian Railways)
- Market research around supra-local sports infrastructure for DVV Midwest (= Ardooie, Hooglede, Ingelmunster, Izegem, Ledegem, Lichtervelde, Meulebeke, Moorslede, Oostrozebeke, Pittem, Roeselare, Ruiselede, Staden, Tielt, Wielsbeke and Wingene)
- Quality in Flanders Heritage Venues for Visit Flanders: network expansion
- Repurposing of Poeke Castle for Visit Flanders
- Benchmark castle restaurants for Visit Flanders
- Population survey in Essen
- Needs assessment of sports infrastructure Ninove
- Follow-up study on the day trips in Wallonia via Consumeter for Walloon Commissariat General for Tourism
- Study on domestic day tourism in Bruges (via the Consumeter survey)
- Sorting analysis for IVBO
- Market potential study
- Feasibility studies around leisure establishments for various companies
- Centre management in Heist-op-den-Berg, Dilbeek, Oudenaarde, Overijse, Peer, Tongeren, Houthalen-Helchteren, Lummen, Zaventem and other cities and municipalities
- Fighting vacancy in the inner-city in Halle, Aarschot, Tongeren…
- Market research for SD Worx
- Horeca policy plan for Beringen
- Strategic commercial plan for the city of Brussels and a digital dashboard
- Preparation of various retail licences
- Validation for the Integrated Environmental Annual Report (IMJV) for OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders)
- MATIS validation + automation data for OVAM
- Framework agreement for coaching of traders and trade associations on behalf of POM West-Vlaanderen & OC West
- Collective learning pathways to strengthen the business core for VLAIO (Flemish Government)
- Market research for MyFamily
- Local activity data model for the city of Leuven
- Consumer and market research project 'Slimme markten' (Smart Markets) for the city of Hasselt
- POM Limburg: labour productivity assessment in Limburg, comparative study with Flanders
CityD often delivers keynotes or guest lectures on retail policy, property policy and cooperation. This year, Jan Boots was again a guest lecturer at KUL's postgraduate retail real estate course. He highlighted the importance of policy frameworks measured against current retail trends. Jan is also one of the driving forces behind the real estate community of VOKA-West Flanders, having previously been one for the Limburg counterpart a few years ago. Jan was also a moderator during the afternoon 'retail' session at Minister Brouns' Entrepreneurship Summit and regularly attended panel discussions with the relevant ministers.
Looking forward to 2024
2024 promises to be an atypical year. With elections approaching, potential economic twists and a further advance of new technology such as AI, governments, businesses and organisations are looking for independent and reliable advice to support their operations.
Following projects will be implemented in 2024. Some projects run over several years:
- Analysis of spatial and economic evolution of publicly accessible functions in Flanders for VLAIO (Flemish Government)
- Centre management in Overijse, Lummen, Dilbeek, Heist-op-den-Berg, Peer, Tongeren, Houthalen-Helchteren, Aarschot and other cities and municipalities
- POM West Vlaanderen: transition plans for making regional business parks more sustainable: park management, economical use of space and ecological quality
- VLAIO: framework agreement on supra-local vision for business park allocation
- VLAIO: area programme for Wommelgem-Ranst - Lage Keer
- Strategic masterplan for the centre of Willebroek
- Implementation of area management for Houthalen-Helchteren/Heusden-Zolder
- Structure outline and strategy for site Thor in Torhout
- Feasibility study for Josaphat site
- Follow-up project: MATIS validation + data automation for OVAM
- Follow-up project IMJV PRTR + FOOD PJ2023 on behalf of OVAM
- Actualisation methodology sorting analysis domestic waste for OVAM
- Market research study around number of single-use packages for OVAM and Fost Plus
- Market research for SD Worx
- Feasability study for swimming pool Nijlen
- Follow-up of travel behaviour survey of Belgian day trippers to Wallonia via le Consumeter on behalf of Walloon Commissariat General for Tourism
- Potential study for Lago
- Development of integral trade policy for Ostend
- …
Consumeter
For several consecutive years, DataD has been measuring via the Consumeter how Belgians spend their day trips in Wallonia on behalf of the Walloon Commissariat-General for Tourism. This can be done through the Consumeter. We investigate where day visitors come from, what their age is, how their families are composed, which destinations they visit and what they do there. You can read more about it here.
Your company or organisation can register questions via the Consumeter for your own market research. The panel of 1.500 Belgians is representative of the adult Belgian population (aged 17-64). This gives you a quick and clear overview of how Belgians perceive your product or service, how well known your brand is, what motivates or could motivate Belgians to buy your product, etc. Contact us.
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Are you also interested in targeted, reliable and independent advice? Do you want to learn more about our pilars, our activities and our team? Contact us for a no-obligation (digital) appointment!
CityD analyses the spatial and economic evolution of publicly accessible functions
VLAIO (the Flemish Innovation & Entrepreneurship Agency) builds the lively centres of the future. What policy is needed around public-oriented functions to build resilient commercial and providing centres? CityD analyses the public-oriented offer, tests existing policy, examines developments and formulates recommendations.
CityD partners on "Dag voor de Binnenstad"(Inner-city day) and "Week van de Samenwerking" (Cooperation Week)
On April 11 2024, Lier, Ede and Arnhem (the Netherlands) were chosen as winners of 'Meest Inspirerende Binnenstadsproject' (Most Inspiring Inner-city Project) during the Inner-city Day. CityD is a jury member in the election and also followed the 'Week van de Samenwerking' (Cooperation Week), two initiatives of the Platform Binnenstadsmanagement. The CityD pillars 'Centre Management & City Marketing' and 'Trade & Hotel catering industry' are perfectly in line with this.
CityD testifies that Working Together Works during the event "West-Vlaamse Winkelier"
During the event West-Vlaamse Winkelier (West Flemish shopkeeper), CityD delivered the keynote 'Working together Works', in which they called upon traders to cooperate more. The evening was organised around the initiative 'de Winkelsterren van je buurt' (Your neighbourhood's Shopping Stars). CityD guided traders' associations, cities and municipalities in setting up and rolling out their action.
The importance of supra-local allocation plans and the CityD support on request of VLAIO
How can local authorities strike a balance between the growing demand for space on business parks and the need for sustainable use? The call launched by VLAIO (The Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) to support supra-local allocation policies offers an answer. CityD is part of the consortium that will be assisting local authorities with this and is happy to help you with this exciting task.
Support for traders in Heist-op-den-Berg via digital gift voucher and new branding
Being a local economy consultant, CityD has been supporting Heist-op-den-Berg in terms of centre management since early 2022. An annual action plan and personal guidance are the basis for successful trade in the centre and the surrounding areas. The Heistbon was launched and shopping was rebranded.
Strengthening the shopping landscape in Lommel thanks to new Jumbo
CityD conducted additional research regarding the food sector in Lommel. The reason was the opening of a branch of supermarket Jumbo. A screening showed why a supermarket at this particular location could be an added value for the nearby town centre, but especially for the inhabitants of Lommel and suburbs.
Opinion: boosting entrepreneurship with 'Win Your Business' competitions
Successful "win your business" competitions give start-ups a big financial boost or even premises for free for a year. What lies behind the success of these promotions? Why is personal coaching necessary? Read the opinion piece by Jan Boots, CEO of CityD-WES
CityD coaches traders' association Izegem with successful sticker campaign
CityD coached traders in Izegem with a successful sticker campaign: 100 participating merchants, 250,000 stickers and 775 full sticker books. Traders were assisted with the practical implementation, posts on social media and inspired to develop their own initiatives.
CityD and Idea investigate the spatial evolution of publicly accessible functions in Flanders
CityD advises on the tension between space and function. A bustling core requires transition, spatial organisation and good accessibility to be successful and future-proof. CityD investigates the spatial evolution of publicly accessible functions in Flanders.
Entrepreneurship, core strengthening and retail policy prevail at CityD
CityD's CEO Jan Boots was a guest at events and seminars on entrepreneurship, core strengthening and retail policy. These included the Entrepreneurship Summit of Minister Jo Brouns and VLAIO, the BSM in Turnhout and the Q&A session at Unizo Limburg with ministers Peeters and Brouns.
Promotional contribution from traders Peer results in other attractive promotions
For years the trade association in Peer HHOP! has been the driving force for activities that benefit the commercial core. A promotional contribution has been introduced since this year (until 2025). This results in attractive additional promotions. CityD colleague Silvie Vandewijer ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Sports infrastructure needs assessment study for Ninove
CityD carried out a needs assessment study on sports infrastructure on behalf of the city of Ninove. What sports facilities are available and which ones are needed? Through a vision of the future and various scenarios, Ninove can now make the right policy choices in the field of sports infrastructure.
Throwback to international training programmes
For more than 35 years, international training programmes on tourism were organized in our office in Bruges for organizations in developing countries (Asia, Africa and Latin America). After almost 30 years, the Thai Wew and Puk return to Bruges. It was a happy reunion!
Final phase vision formulation for Houthalen-Helchteren and Heusden-Zolder area management
Developing liveable and accessible industrial estates with local companies. That is the aim of the study that was developed within the complex North-South Limburg project. CityD is part of the consortium that - now that the vision has been drawn up - will further be responsible for its realization.
Reallocation St. Joseph's Church Roeselare ensures positive neighbourhood dynamics
Nearly 1800 Roman Catholic churches in Flanders, but barely 5% of the inhabitants visit them. Governments are looking for re-use options for this valuable heritage. VOKA Vastgoed West and East Flanders and our colleague Pascal Steeland (CityD-WES) visited St. Joseph's Church in Roeselare.
CityD informs entrepreneurs about the transition of industrial estates via Voka Limburg
Voka Limburg started a platform for local economy and invited CityD to explain the transition within industrial estates. The area management in central Limburg is an excellent example, because all aspects are covered. Our experts are also happy to assist you with transition issues.
CityD benchmarks castle restaurants for Visit Flanders
The rich heritage tradition in Flanders presents governments with the challenge of finding a new use for that heritage. Are castle restaurants a good option for castles? CityD conducted a benchmark at home and abroad that undoubtedly provides interesting insights.
CityD guides Oudsbergen in city marketing
City marketing literally means 'promoting a city'. In Oudsbergen, CityD provided an attractive positioning with an emphasis on a powerful, connecting identity. Other cities and municipalities went through a city marketing and centre management process with us.
Interweaving is indispensable in spatial economics and area development
At CityD we help governments develop a policy vision for the economy tailored to the city, region or industrial estate. Interweaving ensures work locations that take the residential fabric into account. Read more about our projects, available toolboxes and a possible plan of action.
