On 22 May, the day before the Forum, there were organised site visits to the three Belgian regions – Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels – to explore regional initiatives towards climate change adaptation and resilience. When registering for the Forum, please specify which site visit you wish to attend. 

Spaces were limited and awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

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Wallonia – visit to Vesdre Valley

Embark on a journey through the breathtaking Vesdre Valley in the Liège Province! Prepare to witness the tale of resilience and innovation born from the ashes of the devastating 2021 floods. We will be at the heart of reconstruction and adaptation, unravelling the many aspects of this process, which has involved adaptation, crisis management, urban planning, resilient reconstruction, preventative measures, cross-border cooperation, and a paradigm shift in infrastructure management. Brace yourself for a firsthand exploration of the Gileppe Dam, a masterpiece of structural engineering and one of the oldest dams in Europe, and other iconic locations representing the challenges encountered after an extreme climatic event. We've got your transportation and lunch covered.   

Provisional timings

8:30 – Collection from central Brussels

17:00 – Return to central Brussels

Timings are subject to change but will not alter significantly. Final timings will be communicated in advance.

Practical information

A coach will be provided for the 90-minute journey from and to central Brussels. The precise pick-up / return drop-off location will be communicated in advance.

Lunch will be provided.

This visit will involve walking outside on uneven ground so suitable clothing and footwear is required.

Capacity – 50 participants

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Flanders – visit to Mechelen and Vrouwvliet

The city of Mechelen in the province of Antwerp has a pioneering approach to incorporating water and greenery into the urban landscape. The historical significance of water in Mechelen spans centuries and the city aims to collaborate with its partners to fortify its important role through projects that address biodiversity, water quality, public space, participation, culture, and urban development. The visit will include a walking tour and boat ride in Mechelen and the opportunity to hear about European projects including WRC (“Water Resilient Cities”), Wetlands4cities and the upcoming WATSUPS project ("Water As The Source of Urban Public Space").

After Mechelen, we will visit the scenic and pastoral Vrouwvliet river, north of the city. In the 1980s, the banks of the river were altered for faster water drainage, disrupting the natural balance between land and water. An ecological upgrade is now necessary to meet European water quality standards and to restore habitat for local aquatic life. This walking tour will show how the city's policies attempt a thoughtful equilibrium between urban growth and nature conservation. 

Provisional timings

10:30 – Collection from central Brussels

17:00 – Return to central Brussels

Timings are subject to change but will not alter significantly. Final timings will be communicated in advance.

Practical information

A coach will be provided for the 45-minute journey from and to central Brussels. The precise pick-up / return drop-off location will be communicated in advance.

Lunch will be provided.

This visit will involve walking outside on uneven ground so suitable clothing and footwear is required.

Capacity – 50 participants

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Brussels – visit to Tour & Taxis / Brussels port: adaptation in a dense and mixed urban area

You will be taken on a walk to discover the neighborhood around Tour & Taxis (the location of the Third Mission Forum), which is a dense, mixed urban area in the vicinity of the industrial zone of the Brussels Port. This visit will address the issue of adaptation in the urban context with examples in open space and in the building sector. You will discover the new multifunctional Parc T&T-L28, a remarkable “grey to green” project where nature-based solutions help increase quality of life. We will then head to the Tivoli district to discover how an old industrial district has been transformed into a sustainable neighborhood, exemplary in terms of construction, energy use, and social inclusion.

Finally, we will address the issue of resilience in the building sector with a visit to BC materials, a pioneer local company turning waste from building sites into a natural, locally sourced and carbon neutral building material.

Provisional timings

13:30 – Meet in central Brussels

17:00 – Return to central Brussels

Timings are subject to change but will not alter significantly. Final timings will be communicated in advance.

Practical information

Transport will be provided for the short journey from central Brussels. The precise meeting point will be communicated in advance.

This visit will involve walking outside on uneven ground so suitable clothing and footwear is required.

Capacity – 25 participants

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Brussels – visit to Sonian Forest: urban forest & social and ecological resilience

This walking tour will take in the Sonian Forest, which is the most important green space in the Brussels Region as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the biggest urban forests in Europe. Despite its urban location, the forest has an exceptional ecosystem partly protected under N2000. But climate change is threatening its ecological balance and the beautiful so-called “beech cathedral” is disappearing. This visit will address both the ecologic, climatic, economic, and social functions of urban forests in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental inequity. How do we make the forest more resilient and how can Urban Forest Based Solutions (UFBS) help strengthen urban population’s wellbeing and health in a changing climate? You will also discover the multifunctionality of urban forests and the potential for innovation in a circular economy with a visit to Sonian Wood Coop, a local company producing local high-quality wood products from the forest.

Provisional timings

13:30 – Meet in central Brussels

17:00 – Return to central Brussels

Timings are subject to change but will not alter significantly. Final timings will be communicated in advance.

Practical information

Transport will be provided for the short journey from central Brussels. The precise meeting point will be communicated in advance.

This visit will involve walking outside on uneven ground so suitable clothing and footwear is required.

Capacity – 25 participants