ENA Cluster (Economic Network Albert Canal) West Limburg
Strategic reserves in West Limburg
The ENA, Economic Network Albert Canal, is an initiative of the Flemish Government to develop the industrial estates along the Albert Canal. In combination with the E313, the Albert Canal is considered of great importance for the spatial-economic development of Flanders. The ENA aims at the valorization of existing industrial parks and the formation of new regional industrial estates. In the context of these developments, we have carried out a study to develop the spatial-economic strategy.
Economic growth through cooperation
The aim of the ENA network is to align the economic strengths of the area and to accommodate economic growth in a structured manner. In West Limburg, this includes the chemical and logistics activities of Ham-Zwartenhoek and Ravenshout. In this region, many plots of land on industrial estates are not offered on the market because the owners, mainly companies, regard them as strategic reserves.
From study to transition-oriented project
Being a study and consultancy office, CityD-WES specializes in spatial-economic issues and is therefore taking the lead in this process. For this assignment we collaborate with BUUR and Kenter Advies, specialized respectively in urban planning and living environment. Doing so we bring together an interdisciplinary team with expertise for the various required domains of knowledge.
This assignment requires an integrated approach from different fields of expertise. Elementary for this project are a broad expertise in socio-economic, spatial processes, sustainability and safety aspects and entering into dialogue in co-creation processes. However, this expertise will also be supplemented in close collaboration with and at the request of the Department of the Environment, VLAIO (Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship) , the supra-local and local authorities and from the processes already completed in the area.
The study will take nine months and will provide answers to current spatial-economic and socio-spatial issues regarding employment, safety, quality of life, desirability and feasibility of activity in 2021.
It goes without saying that in a complex transition-oriented project such as this, dialogue between the different actors is of the utmost importance. Considerable attention will be paid to bottom-up and top-down communication and processing at different scale levels and at different times.
A well-founded and supported report will be the result.
This project is part of our area development activities. CityD guides governments and administrations to align projects with visions regarding growth and development.
Do you need advice or would you like to meet our experts?
