The new Metzeschmelz quarter, a territory of citizen participation
Metzeschmelz: this is the name of the new quarter on the border of Esch-sur-Alzette and Schifflange on the site of the former steelworks. The name was thought up by a citizen after a competition open to all. A powerful symbol of the importance of citizen involvement in the development of…
Once upon a time there was Esch-Schifflange and its new quarter “Metzeschmelz”
Ideally located between Esch-sur-Alzette and Schifflange, about one kilometre from each town centre, this industrial wasteland shows enormous redevelopment potential as part of the “Metzeschmelz” project. Designed and managed by AGORA, this new quarter will be unique in Luxembourg with a totally innovative urban planning approach that puts people at…
When Belval became an integral part of a Unesco biosphere reserve
“Saving nature is saving mankind. “This is how we could sum up the mission of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme,” Gaëlle Tavernier tells us. Belval is fully committed to this major objective.
Co-living, co-working: new trends or new life ambitions?
Areas redesigned as fully-fledged living spaces are springing up on the outskirts of cities. The new ways of working are changing the way we view our workplaces and with the adoption of environmental issues are giving rise to a whole new way of looking at ones “home”. New trends or…
Fonds Belval: “In terms of amenities, we still have a lot to offer!”
Created by an Act of 2002, the Fonds Belval is a public body responsible for developing the public dimension of the Belval site. University, high school, research labs, cultural spaces, event venues, heritage etc.: for the past 20 years, on the former industrial wasteland, its architects and engineers have been…
When urban planning draws on history
We are in 1850, between Belvaux and Esch. It’s Sunday and families are dressed in their Sunday best to stroll through what is now a recreational area full of nature. It must be said that the forest growing here, the “Escher Bësch”, is a very popular place. Also known as…
Once upon a time there was… knowledge in Belval
In Belval, grey matter is the most fertile of resources. On the Terrasse des Hauts Fourneaux, a territory of knowledge and research, the buildings created by the Fonds Belval (Belval Fund) create an avant garde campus of teaching and research structures and innovative startups, from which the world of tomorrow…
Belval: the city as a territory of technological experimentation or “urban testbed”
“When I show foreign company executives around Belval, they can’t believe the impressive ecosystem that has been created here and are amazed to discover this secret, little known quarter that serves as a teeming laboratory.” These are the words of Laurent Probst, Partner, Economic Development, Digital transformation and Innovation at…
The industrial wasteland: a fascinating urban planning study subject
During the urban planning study on the Alzette Quarter, students architects were interested in the major AGORA project. And the aim was? To suggest their own ideas and train for the job on a site unique of its type. Supervised by their teachers from the Münster School of Architecture (MSA),…
When the building feeds the city
In Belval, AGORA is partnering with property developers carefully selected for their references and know-how. Gilles Bindels is one of them. The company he founded in 2009, Luxembourg Capital, has long been involved in the development of the site. After the Southlane Towers and the launch of the OMNIA residential…