Cluster Centraal, extending over two and a half kilometres between the Craeybeckx Tunnel and the Zurenborg bridge, stands out for its focus on soft mobility, with the creation of a 6-metre-wide cycle highway alongside a pedestrian promenade.
The route of the cycle highway crosses road infrastructures several times via passages under existing bridges. The spaces between bridge piers are enclosed with acoustic panels. This choice is driven by spatial constraints and the need to keep the bridge piers visible for regular inspection. Their lightweight nature is also essential, as the existing foundations cannot support additional loads. The motorway drainage system will also be renovated.
An S-shaped footbridge allows the cycle highway to cross a motorway ramp. This structure features an increased width (8 m) to ensure good visibility for cyclists. A transparent PMMA noise barrier with a handrail, combined with a central box girder and cantilevered elements on both sides, ensures a light and elegant design.
Along the park, walls are constructed, mainly consisting of reinforced earth structures clad with lava stone gabions. These are topped with gabion walls at least 4 metres high on the park side, with a similar finish on both sides. The wall provides an acoustic insulation while the lava stone provides acoustic absorption. The total height of the wall on the motorway side reaches at least 8 metres.
The greisch engineering office was entrusted with the structural studies, in collaboration with Buur-Sweco (urban planning, Leuven), Latz & Partner (landscape architecture, Munich) and SWP (architecture, London/Amsterdam).
These two projects illustrate how areas surrounding major infrastructure can be transformed into high-quality urban parks, where acoustic protection, land valorisation, soft mobility and biodiversity come together to benefit residents.
