Projects all over Europe rise from the ground, but it is not always clear where the money came from. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of the sources. In cooperation with regional and national governments the ERDF seeks to develop regions and to level the European playing field. We take a closer look at a particular project in a prosperous European region. ‘Old Docks’, in the Belgian city Ghent received 17 million Euros in funding of which 40% came from the ERDF, 45% from the Flemish region and 15% from the autonomous city development agency, Sogent. The ‘Oude Dokken’ [‘Old Docks’] is a plan to redevelop an old industrial harbour to a new sustainable part of the city centre.

‘Oude Dokken’

The city of Ghent has a rich trade history, once being one of the biggest and richest cities of Europe. During the industrial revolution the city quickly stole and copied British industrial techniches to become a major import player in Europe’s textile industry.

Throughout the course of the 20th century the docks’ canal became too small for new ships and after World War II the docks slowly became unused. They are still situated quite close to the city center compared to the rest of Ghent’s current big 21st century port.

Throughout the course of the 20th century the docks’ canal became too small for new ships and after World War II the docks slowly became unused. They are still situated quite close to the city center compared to the rest of Ghent’s current big 21st century port. Recently the independent harbour company of Ghent transfered the grounds around the old docks back to the city. The city owns 90% of the grounds and decided to redevelop the area.

DOK-project

In the time the region gets developed, the city had the brilliant idea to attract neighbors and Ghentians to the site. Parties, local markets, a summer beach and expositions were organised within the concept of DOK at one of the sites.

Moving bridge

An intergovernmental project with stakeholders from all over The Netherlands and Belgium, created the opportunity for Ghent to build a bridge very early in the program.

The bridge is able to move when ships have to go underneath without it making impossible for cyclists and pedestrians to keep walking and cycling over.

landmarks

The old landmarks from when the harbor was still in use, will remain important recognition points in the area. They will be there so old will visibly meet new.