Planned Urban Unit Development: A Case Study: Louvain-la-Neuve

Abstract

In contrast to the overall de-urbanization of Belgium, the planning and development of the new university town of Louvain-la-Neuve, in the metropolitan area of Brussels, is an attempt to create a high density-lowrise mixture of urban functions in the European urban tradition. Nine hundred hectares were acquired by the University of Louvain, and an eventual population of up to 50 000 can be accommodated in the town site. Only the central part of the site has been developed; the remaining portion is being kept as open space. The concept emphasizes small groups of town houses and terraced streets, and the division of the site into small plots, each developed separately by different architects, has led to both variety and economy.

The new town is highly ‘pedestrianized’; that is, its road system discourages the use of cars for short trips and it has a railway station to encourage outward journeys by train. The aim is to develop the “town and gown” interaction found in the old university towns, with a social mix both of university and town, as well as university and industry. Moreover, a science park for high technology research and development firms is situated close to an industrial research park. As to resource conservation, the site, located in a water catchment area, is provided with a dual sewerage system. All storm waters converge into a 5.5 ha reservoir, which is only partly sealed in order to allow replenishment of the water table. This lake is to be filled by the end of 1985. Another resource conservation experiment is the intended use of a nearby sanitary landfill, for energy recovery, agricultural and landscape purposes.