Parkforest Ghent – Belgium

Biogeographic region: Atlantic

Surface area: 1200 ha

Country: Belgium

Region/Province: Flanders/East Flanders

The peri-urban forest is a new afforestation at the southern edge of the City of Ghent (Belgium). The area is a mosaic of old and new forests, agricultural land, and historic sites (mainly castles and estates). Planting started in 1996. Realisation started in 2002, with a planned end date around 2023. The main actor is the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB), in close collaboration with the Province of East Flanders, the City of Ghent, the Municipalities of De Pinte and Sint-Martens-Latem and the Flemish Land Agency (VLM).

Starting with a single focus on afforestation, the project aimed at integrating Nature-Based Solutions for limiting flooding, enhancing biodiversity and reducing traffic noise pollution.

Following an integrated approach, further objectives included:

• Safeguarding agriculture in the long term, by setting aside dedicated areas for agriculture for local farmers;
• Increasing road safety for pedestrians and cyclists (restructuring crossings, developing links for recreational traffic);
• Providing opportunities for recreation and play;
• Safeguarding historical elements in the landscape and restoring vistas.

The forest has further been integrated into the green-blue climate axis network around the city in order to reduce the urban heat island effect.

Community fundraising:

Only for the land owned by Natuurpunt (Nature Conservation NGO).

City, regional general funds:

Main cost (land purchase) paid by the Flemish government, either through direct purchase, either by co-funding land purchase cost to the municipalities and the Nature Conservation NGO.
Operational costs (communication, staff costs for the project coordinator, …) are also split between all partners, with the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests covering most budget.
Costs for local interventions and management are assigned to the responsible partner(s).

Private sector investment: 

Only for the land owned by Natuurpunt (Nature Conservation NGO).

International funds:

LIFE99 ENV/B/000650 – 904.440 EUR (442.897 EUR co-funded by the EU)

PRINCIPLE UF-NbS (Urban Forests as Nature-Based Solutions) ACTION(S)

• Forest plantations/afforestation

OTHER PRINCIPLE NbS ACTION(S) – non-UF

• Restoring brook systems

Parkbos Ghent is a long-lasting afforestation/reforestation project, that has seen interesting changes during its planning and implementation. Starting as a forestry project (with a single focus on increasing the forest area for recreational use), it turned into an integrated landscape restructuring project that integrates forest, agriculture, recreation and landscape heritage with other challenges in the area. Although the project claims to be participatory from the initiation phase, it was more consultation than participation, and specific groups felt to be left out of the participation process (resulting in conflicts with local authorities and farmers). Twenty years later, most actors are happy with the result and see the advantages of the project.

1. Governing authorities: Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB).

2. Associations: Civil Organisations, Environmental NGOs and the Farmers association have been involved intensively during the planning process but are actually less involved in the management of the forest.
The Nature Conservation NGO Natuurpunt is land owner of a smaller part of the forest (around 45 ha, in the north of the area).
The environmental NGO BOS+ (formerly named the Flemish Forest Association – Vereniging voor Bos in Vlaanderen vzw) has been influential in launching the idea and the early awareness raising, communication and planning.

3. Citizens: Some citizens events have been organised during the planning process and during the first years after the establishment of the forest, but the number of events has decreased a bit (walks, festivals).

4. Municipalities: City of Ghent, Municipality of De Pinte, Municipality of Sint-Martens-Latem

5. Public/private institutions: Public institutions: Flemish Land Agency (VLM), Tourism East Flanders, Agency for Heritage, Road and Traffic Agency. Some private land owners leased their land to the Forest and Nature Agency (long-term lease).

6. Park planner and authorities: The afforestation has been planned by the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB).

7. Technicians for park maintenance/monitoring and to educate and support citizens: Forest management (and limited education) is done by the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB).

info@parkbos.be

The compilation of this case study description has been funded by the Horizon 2020 CLEARING HOUSE project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 821242.