AGORA

Since the year 2000 AGORA has been developing a modern urban quarter on the former steel works site in the south of Luxembourg. Today within the boundaries of the districts of Esch-sur-Alzette and Sanem one of the most ambitious urban development projects in Europe is being built on an area of 120 hectares.

A new city quarter with a unique mix of places to work, study, research and live is being created on what was once the site of Luxembourg’s biggest ironworks with one very special feature:  parts of the former industrial site are being retained, and will be uniquely integrated in the new concept. Thus the two remaining blast furnaces not only bear witness to a long-gone era, but are also landmarks of the New Belval. Here up to 7,000 people will be able to live and up to 25,000 work, research and study. 

Link to the Belval website

Steel was produced and processed on the site between 1871 and 2012. The investigations cover the 54 hectare production site, parts of the Schlassgoart ground as well as a further 8 hectares that belong to the Fonds du Rail (rail fund).

As part of the feasibility study, in which the municipalities of Esch-sur-Alzette and Schifflange are also involved, the work being undertaken includes a historical environmental balance of the site, soil samples, investigations into waterways and biotopes. A number of technical, urban development and market-based analyses are also being carried out. The existing infrastructure, transportation routes, energy networks, the current socio-economic situation and the position on the real estate market are also included in the considerations.

Seven groups from various divisions are involved in the feasibility study. These are in turn controlled by the following committees: one committee to control and validate the technical studies; one to define the urban development and market-based guidelines, and a coordinating committee comprising the government, the municipalities and ArcelorMittal. The latter is also responsible for the political strategy.