Martelarenplein is the business card of the city of Leuven. The protected townscape is the gathering place for various modes of transport and the welcoming gate for a large number of daily visitors, which means that the current square is perceived as a place for transit. The lack of seating, greenery and shade, with the exception of catering terraces at the edges, means that the potential for most of the square is underused. The city wishes to revitalise this mineral square and to make it a place where it is pleasant to linger. Around the bus station, the paving needs to be renewed and ways to upgrade traffic safety and the quality of the public space are being explored.
The design envisages a 12-metre-wide strip in the middle of the square with equal distance to all facades and a playful arrangement of circular green shapes. The circles leave enough space for passage on busy walking lines while in other places they are closer together to create snug corners for meeting. This allows pedestrians and cyclists to still cross the square, while subtly directing them to the safe crossings to avoid conflicts. This strip will be a place for everyone to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while. On the hospitality side, the experience is enhanced thanks to the integration of gargoyles. Visitors can enjoy a drink on the terrace while their children cool down in the fountain. During events, the spouts are turned off, creating a larger, functional square space.
