Reallocation St. Joseph's Church Roeselare ensures positive neighbourhood dynamics
Religious heritage
1800 Roman Catholic churches and only five percent of Flemish people go to church every week. This implies that there are only an average of approximately 166 regular churchgoers per church. The number of clergy is also declining. By reallocating the churches, we give this religious heritage a new function.
VOKA Real Estate West and East Flanders and colleague Pascal Steeland (CityD-WES) visited the St. Joseph's Church in Roeselare, which has been successfully reallocated.
The construction of the St. Joseph's Church started in 1952 and it immediately became the central point in the new district between the port and Rumbeke. The church was deconsecrated in 2014. This was followed by several attempts by a project developer to demolish the church and build an apartment building on the site. The permit process met with resistance from the neighbourhood and the city, who were reluctant to see this beautiful monument disappear. 3Architects, the architectural firm of Barbara Ostyn, Jan Tyvaert and Christophe Keirsbilck, proposed reallocating the church and decided to establish their headquarters there.
The reallocation was done with great respect for the uniqueness of the building and its surroundings. Many co-creation sessions took place with the neighbourhood. Citizens and associations can now rent part of the church, the ship. The ship was given a multi-purpose function as an event and meeting venue after office hours and during the weekend. The ship can be separated from the office space by a nice-looking wooden fence. There is an intense collaboration with the city of Roeselare, which rents the space on a structural basis. The event location offers space for baby showers, repair café, yoga sessions, neighbourhood activities, breakfast moments, aperitif concerts, etc. and therefore ensures a positive neighborhood dynamic.
Re-use with a focus on sustainability
To keep heritage sites relevant or make them relevant again, a strategy must be developed that uses the heritage value, social value and commercial value of the site as potential. By adding new functions and/or reactivating old ones, there will be a balanced offer that benefits all stakeholders. Part of this is focusing on a purposeful quality upscaling of the visitor experience. Making choices and determining priorities is very important. CityD is happy to help you make the right choices.
Three sober facade-wide openings have been made in the church to create a connection between the church space and the surroundings, as well as to draw in more light. They seem to have been there forever. The design and appearance of the interventions, both exterior and interior, fit in with the existing building. Heating, lighting and acoustic techniques are functional and incorporated in a simple way. The heating is done via underfloor heating: a new polyconcrete floor was poured on top of the existing floor. The heat supply is provided by heat pumps powered by solar panels. The system is hybrid and the previous gas boiler system can be used during freezing days. The entire attic space has been insulated. Special attention is paid to acoustics in the design. The walls and partitions are covered with acoustic materials.
3Architects has also promised to keep the church clock and bells through a third party. The bells of St. Joseph's Church still ring as before and are reminiscent of the religious past.
The city also took the opportunity to de-pave the entire area around the church. About 7,000 m² has been depaved: green squares, wadis, open ditches, benches, etc. The project around St. Joseph's Church gives space to the residents with 3,000 square meters of additional greenery. The benches are frequently used by local residents. Existing trees also receive extra attention. Valuable lime trees and American oaks that were already growing there will be given additional space for root growth. The neighbourhood is now a low trafic zone and iss designed as a zone 30. Traffic has been cut to prevent through-traffic. Footpaths and parking strips have permeable paving.
The city of Ostend will also reallocate church buildings
Ostend's new church policy plan means that existing church buildings will be given a new or an additional function. All buildings intended for worship are mapped, together with the current use and function of each building. Through an urban task force and involving residents, the city wants to develop a plan for the future use of these buildings.
The reallocation is necessary, also from a financial point of view, because Ostend taxpayers pay around 1.5 million euros annually in subsidies for the church factories. Ostend is determined to quickly identify which church buildings can be reallocated and make concrete decisions about this.
Would you also like to form a vision regarding the reallocation of a church or other heritage building? CityD will assist you with advice and assistance in finding a new solution that is feasible from the market (demand-driven) but also from a financial point of view.
Would you like to know more about our pillars Real Estate & Area Development and Tourism and Leisure? Contact us for a no-obligation (digital) appointment!
How CityD sees local policy orientations
The economic principles from the Flemish coalition agreement are translated to the local policy level. Jan Boots gives suggestions and examples. We do this from our knowledge of urban dynamics. Welcome to the dynamic city!
CityD and VVSG investigate budget and utilisation rate of the economic departments
The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) and CityD presented the results of the survey in which 241 cities and municipalities participated. We assessed various facets within the economic departments of cities and municipalities. The results are striking to say the least, with working points, but also a hopeful evolution.
CityD supports Rwanda with urban development and tourism
Rwanda is an economically fast-growing country in the heart of Africa. With the support of FIT (Flanders Investment & Trade), CityD went on site to explain development visions for urban development and tourism. The expansion around Kigali and the Cyclism 2025 World Cup requires our expertise in the field of allocation policy, area management and sustainable (bicycle) tourism.
Mobility in commercial areas also political issue
Mobility plays a big role in defining ‘vibrant’ or ‘lively’ commercial areas. That it would suddenly also become an election issue is rather surprising. However, there is often a big gap between political wishful thinking and the reality of the day. A look at mobility and politics from our 'centre management' and 'city marketing' pillar, through the eyes of CEO Jan Boots.
Retail vision for Ostend
Ostend, a famous coastal and shopping city. CityD examines the future of retail across the boundaries of policy areas. With a spatial perspective and taking into account residents, visitors and tourists who spend the night in Ostend, a clear vision and concrete action plan are developed on the basis of this analysis.
Opinion: Commercial property rents fall while cadastral incomes rise. Is this correct?
How do you determine the rent of a commercial property in times when vacant properties dominate many commercial centres? Can you still use the annually indexed cadastral income as a benchmark? Kirsten, Mathias and Jan from CityD gathered insights and show how to combat vacancy.
CityD and Platform Binnenstadsmanagement build a strong inner city through board game
CityD is a partner of Platform Binnenstadsmanagement, which brings together Dutch and Flemish cities and municipalities around inner city themes. How do you openly and honestly discuss cooperation in your inner city? We test this cooperation interactively and playfully with the board game ‘Building a strong inner city’!
Summer networking: how to build strong business park associations together!
Business park associations bring many benefits both to local governments and companies. How to achieve this and how to create a business park association? CityD is happy to help you! Start with networking this summer! We wish you a happy summer and look forward to working together on a strong and connected business park! ☀️
We dive into the summer independently (of the weather!)
Will we have a typical Belgian summer or will we be able to enjoy sun and beach? We cannot answer that, but fortunately we can answer other research questions. With our brands DataD and CityD, we will gladly get to work for you, during or after the summer. We wish you happy holidays!
Area management in Houthalen-Helchteren
For the Europark and Centrum-Zuid business parks, CityD organised two workshops in Houthalen-Helchteren. Based on the input from the workshops, area-specific actions are drawn up. The actions are worked out together with and for the entrepreneurs, because area management on a business park is team work.
CityD member of Tungri Awards jury in Tongeren
Tongeren puts the spotlights on local entrepreneurs and honours them for their work and commitment. CityD, which provides advisory support to the local economy department, is also member of the jury. The Tungri Awards will be granted on October 24, 2024. Nominating a business for any of the four categories is still possible until July 31.
Press launch City marketing Eeklo
The city marketing plan for Eeklo was presented to the press. Through a participative process, CityD and Supermoon developed a supported vision of Eeklo's identity, determined the brand essence and positioning, and worked out promotional actions. Eeklo is a city on the move and Eeklo moves you!
Looking for a business park manager? Then you've come to the right place at CityD!
A sustainable and future-proof business park? The focus is not only on the use of the plots, but also on the possible synergies between the companies themselves. So an overall approach with one connecting force: the business park manager. CityD's business park manager is the right choice!
Willebroek, where CityD enhances the image quality of the commercial core and strengthens cooperation between traders
Willebroek wants to strengthen its commercial core and improve cooperation between all traders. CityD was commissioned to make agreements on image quality and appearance of the city centre and will work out connecting actions with the traders, across language and origin boundaries.
Reallocation Day (12.05.2024) highlights importance of reallocation as the way forward
CityD carries out reallocation studies through a participatory process, together with the client, stakeholders, experts and architect. A new future for existing buildings, that's what we believe in!
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-WES reflects on 2023 and looks forward to 2024
In 2023 we will further roll out our CityD and DataD brands. CityD strengthens local and regional dynamics. DataD is an expert in market research & marketing strategy. 2023 was a busy year and in 2024 will continue to assist companies, organizations and governments in their growth and development.
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.
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.
