Pieper Site Project

Project Design approved

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
Current use of Pieper site project