Pieper Site Project
Localisation
| State | Belgium |
| Regional (NUTS III) hierarchical level | Liege |
| District level (LAU1) | Saint Leonard |
| Municipality (LAU2) | Saint Nicolas |
| Connection to traffic network | Closeness to highway A3, A13, A15 |
Main factors of successful redevelopment process
- general localization (one of the largest city in the Belgium, great localization close to the border with The Netherlands and Germany)
- specific localization (inner city)
- transport links (Good connection to the highway system – A3, A13, A15)
- availability of financial incentives (financial support of the Structural Funds (ERDF) and the Walloon Region for the cleaning and the equipment (2004-2007) - Total budget : 1,423,052 EUR)
- attractiveness of the site and objects (along the river)
Brief description of site and current use
The Pieper site is an urban revitalisation project in Liège designed to lure businesses back into the eastern Belgian city. About 1.2 hectares in area, the site has been formed by cleaning two adjoining brownfields, and is a key part of an economic redeployment for the whole region. Unlike traditional business parks usually full of heavy industry on the outskirts of towns, the Pieper site is fully integrated into the urban environment.
To be eligible for a plot, companies must comply with an urban charter that lays down strict requirements for building materials and offers businesses a list of suggestions on eco-management and other sustainable development measures while directing them to Wallonia funding sources. Among other things, there are suggestions on energy and water management, as well as air and water quality. The overriding goal is to boost the local and regional economy by attracting long-term investors with green values.
The Pieper site is situated in Liège’s St.-Leonard district, which prospered during the 18th and 19th centuries but left a legacy of several brownfields after the demise of the coal-mining industry. The project complements the Liège City Council’s 1995 urban renewal initiative, which called for building public and green spaces, public housing and the creation of a business incubator.
The project is led by SPI+, the economic development agency for Liège province, which purchased the site and is responsible for cleaning, equipment and the sale of land and organisation. The agency works with a wide network of partners that includes the Liège City Council, in charge of the total urban renovation of the St.-Leonard district; SPI+ subsidiary Sorasi, specialised in cleaning industrial sites; committees from the district and local businesses; and Wallonia.
The project has already inspired further urban renewal projects by SPI+, generating new partnerships and collaborations. In addition, there are also indications of a possible duplication of this project in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine districts.
Original use – basic description
| Original use | Industrial |
| Area | 1.2 ha |
| Type of site | Industrial site |
Current state – basic description
| Current use | Business development zone |
| % of built-up area | 75% |
| State of Environment | After complete decontamination |
| New use from | 2010 |
| Total costs | 1 423 000 € |
| Owner of site | Province Liege |
Contact to stakeholders
| Owner of site | Agence
de developpement pour la province de
Liege http://www.spi.be/fr/ |
| Local public administration | Mayor
of Saint Nicolas Patrick Avrill |
| Investors participating at redevelopment | NAOS Atelier http://www.naos-atelier.be/societe-naos-atelier.html |
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