Marie Lamborelle & Yanis Minsier & Romane Muselle & Noémie Nicolas

Over the last few years, the issue of watermanagment has become one of our main concerns, through droughts and floods. Our aim is to show that it is possible to rethink the way in which water is managed, by implementing a plan of action, which is more geared towards solidarity and sustainability. 

The first stage of our research consisted of an immersion in our site, the Eupen-Welkenraedt area and more specifically the East Belgium Park business park, detailing the water landscape. In order to encompass all the water issues and constraints, we have divided it into four main categories: blue water, green water, grey water and virtual water/water needs. Analyses were carried out for each type of water to identify the essential elements that should not be neglected.  

Once each category of water had been studied, the various studies were cross-referenced to bring out a number of key findings and potentials, ultimately taking the form of three strategies: rainwater reserves, the rainwater network and the water landscape. These interconnected strategies give water back its rightful place and enable its management to be pooled. 

For the water reserve strategy, it was decided to create or improve storage, infiltration and hybrid basins. For the rainwater network, a principle of multi-dimensional valleys guiding the water to these basins and avoiding the discharge of wastewater into the sewers was developed. Finally, the water landscape is based on the vegetation of the area, including the new landscaping that has been devised. These different strategies have been carried out at different scales, culminating in a more concrete project at plot level. The aim of this process is to ensure that the installations put in place serve as guidelines that can also be applied to other areas.