The Left Bank dikes are being raised as a result of the updated Sigma Plan, which required the dikes in the project area to be raised to 9.25 m above the TAW (Tweede Algemene Waterpassing – the horizontal water reference level used in Belgium). OMGEVING has joined forces with SBE to create a spatial vision for this complex design task. This vision sees the raised dikes as a clear line in the landscape, separating the regions on either side of the dike and simultaneously taking into account the existing infrastructure beside the shipping channel. By using earth dikes covered with greenery, as far as was possible, the left bank of the Scheldt has become a spatial counterpart to the river’s ‘hard’ right bank.
The vision pays much attention to expanding the recreational network, creating greater ecological value, and upgrading the public space that borders the body of the dike. The proposed layout provides for an attractive elongated park in Linkeroever, which means that the river dike plays a role that exceeds its function as a defense against water.
