Zuidpark in Antwerp wins European Prize for Urban Public Space

Antwerp's Zuidpark has been awarded ‘The European Prize for Urban Public Space’ in Barcelona. The project won the biennial award, which received nearly 400 entries from 38 countries, beating finalists from Italy and Spain.

The award recognizes the transformation of a former parking lot on the city's old docks into a ‘green lung’. The redesign focuses on integrating biodiversity, restoring the water cycle, and creating community spaces. By removing sealed asphalt surfaces, the project addresses urban heat island effects and improves rainwater management for the district.

Designed by Tractebel and atelier adrund Georges Descombes, the park utilizes the historical layout of the former docks to organize a central meadow, linear water gardens, and sports areas. The project also incorporates reused stones from the former harbor basins, blending historical memory with functional ecological infrastructure.