The Gansbroek fruit hedge
Berchem-Saint-Agathe (Bruxelles)
The Project
A community fruit hedge on the edge of the Gansbroek nature reserve
Together with staff from KBC Brussels and their families, SOWoods planted a fruit hedge on a plot of land owned by citydev.brussels, in the heart of an area that blends nature, economic activity and industrial sites.
Initial situation
In Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, a plot of land owned by citydev.brussels is situated at the junction of several landscapes: the Gansbroek nature reserve, business parks and industrial sites in the Brussels-Capital Region.
In this heavily urbanised environment, the aim was to enhance the presence of nature whilst creating a unifying project for KBC Brussels staff and their families.
SOWoods’ solution
SOWoods designed and supervised the community-led planting of a fruit hedge, comprising species suited to the local environment.
Employees of KBC Brussels and their families were invited to take part in the planting. This hands-on, intergenerational activity enabled them to discover the various stages of a greening project and to contribute directly to the site’s development.
Ultimately, this hedge will form a green space that is both productive and welcoming to biodiversity, whilst being seamlessly integrated into its urban surroundings. The project illustrates SOWoods’ approach: transforming urbanised spaces through natural, participatory and sustainable solutions.
Benefits
Ecologocial :
- Creation of new habitats and food sources for birds, insects and local small wildlife.
- Diversification of vegetation within an economic and industrial environment. 18 different tree species have been planted.
- Enhancement of ecological connectivity near the Gansbroek Nature Reserve.
- Gradual improvement in soil quality and vitality.
Climate-related :
- Contributing to local cooling through vegetation
- Improving water infiltration into the soil.
- Gradual carbon storage in plants and the soil.
- Strengthening the site’s resilience to heatwaves and heavy rainfall.
Social :
- Creating an opportunity for KBC Brussels staff and their families to bond.
- Raising practical awareness of biodiversity and the role of hedges in urban areas.
- Helping participants reconnect with nature through a collective effort.
- Encouraging a sense of ownership of the project amongst those who directly contributed to planting it.
Planting Day - March 2025
Before
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