Gelatine: where nature, heritage and water come together to shape the city

On the former gelatine site in Hasselt, a new urban district is emerging where nature, heritage and water come together to create a contemporary living environment. The “Gelatine” masterplan transforms a dense industrial site into an open, permeable neighbourhood with clear sight lines, a fine-grained pedestrian network and a strong identity. The common thread in the design is a future-proof living environment: from healthy homes and climate-adaptive outdoor spaces to an ambitious score on the ‘Duurzaamheidsmeter Wijken’.

Gelatine is conceived as a green urban landscape in which residents quite literally live in a park. The “green finger” extending from Demer Park reaches deep into the site and links a series of separate green areas into a single network. A subtle gradation between public, semi-public and private green spaces creates pleasant, shared outdoor areas. Daylight studies, carefully considered building heights and dual-aspect homes ensure healthy, light-filled living environments with maximum comfort in both summer and winter. Green roofs, shaded squares and cool park zones help to reduce heat stress, while communal gardens and rainwater infiltration make the neighbourhood resilient and rich in biodiversity.

The monumental factory chimney remains both the point of orientation and the soul of the new neighbourhood. The robust industrial architecture forms the backdrop for a mix of art, craft, hospitality and community functions. New volumes frame the factory and its chimney, while at the same time opening up generous passages towards Heilig Hart and the Kanaalkom. A fine-grained network of blue spaces, from playful water features to swales, runs throughout the district and strengthens the microclimate. Along the quay, an animated public zone with a variety of places to linger takes shape. The result is a lively, low-traffic residential environment in which encounter is central.

Gelatine is a regenerative urban district that focuses on healthy living environments and strong communities. A rich mix of housing typologies and shared amenities makes the neighbourhood accessible to a wide range of residents. By weaving together nature, heritage and water, a coherent spatial narrative emerges in which architecture and public space set a new benchmark for sustainable urban development.