“Belval is not just one of the largest urban development projects in Europe, it is also one of the most ambitious projects.,” thus summed up the Head of Research Department who supervises the Belval project about this adventure, which started over ten years ago. What does it consist of? Why 2015 is a pivotal year? A flash back on one of the most beautiful urban development visions in recent years.

Between the past and the future

Between the city of Luxembourg and the French border, the communes of Esch-sur-Alzette and Sanem have sheltered the flagship industries of Luxembourg for nearly a century. During the closure of last blast furnaces in the 90s, 120 hectares were released. This area, which is particularly well connected by road and rail, and which is attached to the second commune of the Grand Duchy by its size, proves to be particularly strategic. Thus, it was then decided to create a new neighborhood in this space that is dedicated to science and culture, as well as for housing and recreation. Its development was assigned to the Agora Company and the Fonds Belval, a specially appointed public fund. Belval project was initiated in association with the University of Luxembourg that is considered to be a stakeholder of prime importance.

2015: the anticipated turning point

Belval project plans to create a City of Science and a National Centre for Industrial Culture on the ancient terraces that were occupied by the industrial site. The link with the past will be signified by two old blast furnaces that will be preserved. The City of Sciences will not limit itself by only accommodating the University of Luxembourg premises and research centers. It will also include residential buildings and commercial properties. The office buildings are also intended to accommodate start-ups. The University expects to have a presence of 7,000 students and 3,000 research professors on site in total. The Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine has already opened its doors on site since 2011. So far 4,000 employees and 1,000 high school students are working on the site. However, the major change is expected to take place in 2015 with the almost entire relocation of the University of Luxembourg. The responsible site development officers are keeping high expectations on this new establishment as it will provide Belval a full scope.

Belval: translation of an innovative concept

Belval, which was born from the desire to revitalize a site affected by deindustrialization, also claims to be the best example of new urbanism that is modern, balanced and perfectly integrated into the contemporary times. The passion to preserve the industrial heritage - which, despite the developments of the twentieth century, is still the pride of the Grand Duchy - has come across the expectations of diversity and the need for integration of different activities - life, studies, work, leisure, etc. The involvement of municipalities, private investors and the University has proved that this project is really placed at the convergence of current issues and that it responds to a real need. The arrival of students and teachers, which will start in the beginning of September 2015, is expected to mark the true outcome of this project. However, the project still has many phases to be developed.

Belval demonstrates that the small size of the Grand Duchy does not forbid it from having ambitious and large-scale urban development projects. There is no doubt that 2015 will mark a milestone in the development of the site. However, many investments still remain to be made, between offices, residences and commercial, cultural and leisure activities.

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