This time, Region South's day excursion was used to keep a close eye on the urban development of our surrounding cities. Antwerp is realising a very ambitious plan.

With 47 participants, we spent a full day admiring the initiatives the city of Antwerp is taking to turn the old port area into a lively link between the new ports and the city centre. Three new residential districts are emerging around the 'Eilandje', the square situated as a peninsula in the oldest port. On this island, the now famous Museum aan de Stroom, the MAS, forms the cultural centre.

The communications coordinator of the Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Stadsplanning Antwerpen, Leo Verbeke, gave us a clear presentation of the plans so that we could get a picture of the reason, the plans themselves and the state of affairs. Projects completed and projects to be realised from now until 2016.

in the afternoon, the glass wall of the MAS was used to get a view of all the projects and the stage they are in now when explained by a guide on each of the ten floors. Of course, the excursion part ended with a visit to the museum's own exhibitions on its seven floors equipped for that purpose. The five permanent exhibitions showcasing Antwerp as the world city, the world port in displays of power and in mysticism of especially the colonial rituals of life and death. Furthermore, the viewing depot and the changing exhibition on five centuries of visual arts of this city.


During the trip and between activities, there will again be plenty of opportunity to get to know each other better and keep the network alive. Especially at the conclusion with a real Flemish dinner.

The programme we followed can of course be found again on the activities page on 7 July 2012, you can see it here.

Start in Best at the bus

Coffee in Campus Blairon

Start presentation

Presentation

In front of the Felix warehouse

Presentation in front of the MAS

To the MAS

Plaque from the MAS

View of Antwerp from the MAS

View of urban renewal from the MAS

Visit to the exhibitions

Closing dinner

Description

In 1989, Spanish architect Manuel de Solà Morales' design would mark the beginning of the intention to revive Antwerp's forgotten old port area. A then certainly characterful district with visible history but without activity or current function. Because of its historical sites, its monuments and the surrounding Scheldt - water, however, it is a place with a lot of potential.

On the way to Antwerp, a stopover in Turnhout at Campus Blairon, once Belgium's national recruitment barracks. There, we first have the opportunity to hear and see more about Antwerp's urban renewal in a presentation on how the 2002 master plan for the port area was developed into its current state of construction:
Dokken and access canals cut through the 172-hectare port area into three districts, the 'Oude Dokken', the 'Montevideo' district and the 'Cadix' district. Each of these districts has been assigned a function for sustainable waterfront living, marina, culture and tourist attractions. Ambitious and spectacular projects.
After the presentation, we will move on to Antwerp and have the opportunity to see that picture before us on our own and let it sink in with lunch on the square or in one of the numerous restaurants along the dockside. Of course, our hosts will give you suggestions as to where and what.

Furthermore, we will have a guided tour with explanations in the area. From the historic, beautifully restored St. Felix warehouse, we will go along the docks to the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), up through the building with views of the city on all floors and conclude the tour on the roof of the MAS with a stunning panorama of the city of Antwerp.
Following and as part of the programme, each person can visit the MAS with their choice of permanent collections and the temporary exhibition of the moment.
The MAS is the high-rise centre of the island. By winning the prize for the best concept, the architectural firm Neutelings Riedijk won the commission to design a museum that would bring together all decentralised museum collections on Antwerp's relationship with and to the world over the last five centuries. In four floors, the themes of power, metropolis, world port and upper and underworld are represented. In the remaining 6 floors and basement, in addition to reception, restaurant and offices, are workshop spaces, a viewing depot where the management of the collection is visible and a floor with changing current exhibitions.

On the way back, we end the day with dinner in Turnhout. The restaurant there is part of the Campus Blairon, the building where our day excursion began. However, the interior of the restaurant and the dinners are not at all reminiscent of its former function. After dinner, the return journey will continue and we will be in Best at the NS - Station by 8.30pm.

From pick-up point to end point we will travel by bus.
08.45 am Gathering and departure from Best station at
09.00 am,
09.45 am Arrival in Turnhout the Campus Blairon, reception with coffee and cake,
10.15 am Presentation on the urban development of Antwerp,
11.45 am Departure for Antwerp,
12.30 pm Lunch on your own at the docks,
13.30h Guided tour from the Felix Pakhuis, across the Eilandje and ending on the roof terrace of the Museum aan de Stroom,
14.30h Opportunity to view the permanent collections and the occasional exhibition in the MAS,
16.45h Departure from Antwerp,
17.30h Dinner in Turnhout,
19.30h Departure from Turnhout,
20.30h Arrival in Best at the railway station.

Speaker(s)

The presentation and explanations will be given by experts from the Antwerp Urban Renewal Department and the Antwerp Averechts Department

Location

Best - Antwerp - Turnhout - Best

Organiser

Region South

Name and contact details for information

drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch, t: 06 5063 8128 or via the e-mail address below:

jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl