New start for the Waalse Krook

Waalse Krook district gets new multimedia complex with library

The decision is made. By 2013, the Waalse Krook district in the center of Ghent will be completely renewed and equipped with a state-of-the art multimedia complex including a library. With several ambitious proposals having died an inglorious death, now at last a locality for the complex has been set. The quarter between the Walpoortstraat, the Ketelvaart, the Nederschelde, the Lammerstraat and the beginning of the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat will harbor the new project.

In the spring of 2008 six partners (the Flemish Community, the province Oost-Vlaanderen, the city of Ghent, the AG urban development company in Ghent, the University of Gent and IBBT) signed a preliminary agreement. The partners appointed two study offices to carry out both a financial and urban development feasibility study. As the results of both studies produced no considerable objections, the six partners must now give their final agreement by the end of the year.

Visionary construction

The Waalse Krook is one of GhentŽs most important urban renewal projects and will be a new attraction for the city. However it must primarily become a project where citizens feel at home and can meet up with each other. For this reason, the publicŽs suggestions and remarks will be taken into account where possible. In order to give the general public the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new project, the vzw Waalse Krook has organized an exhibition "Waalse Krook: new beacons for Ghent".

The exhibition connects the past with the future. The visitor learns more about the rich history of the quarter, from the old winter circus to the garage Mahy, and gets acquainted with the future plans for the Waalse Krook. Visitors can also view the construction plans for the neighborhood. The winter circus will be renovated and a state-of-the-art library will be constructed next to it. The design and the concept of this library of the 21st century was inspired by among others the library in Seattle (USAS), La Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal (Canada) and Mediaspace Arthus in Denmark.

Library of the future

This library of the 21st  century will become more than just a place to borrow a book or to read a newspaper. That is one of the main reasons why IBBT (Interdisciplinary Institute for Broadband Technology) joined the Waalse Krook project. Wim De Waele, director IBBT: "As a research center we want to think about and shape this innovative concept and building. The international radiation of this project is important and Ghent has the knowledge to make it happen. The cooperation with among others the University of Ghent will result in new synergies in the field of technological renewal. It will position Ghent - and IBBT - even more as a center of creativity and innovation."

Practical Information

You can visit the exhibition concerning the Waalse Krook until January 3rd in the Achilles Musschezaal in the city library at het Zuid. The exhibition is accessible on the second floor during library opening hours.