Regaining a sense of belonging
Village Square Meer
Village Square Meer
"Village Square Meer" is a citizen-led initiative to revitalize a historic convent, a listed national monument and landscape in the heart of the rural village of Meer. Abandoned after the school closed, the site was reclaimed through architectural interventions, adaptive reuse, landscape design, and cultural programming. Now open to the public, it gives the village its first-ever central square—honoring history while creating a vibrant, accessible gathering space for the community.
Belgium
Local
Meer
Mainly rural
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2022-06-13
No
No
No
As a representative of an organisation, in partnership with other organisations
Village Square Meer is a community-driven initiative that has transformed a historic convent in the rural village of Meer, Belgium, into its first-ever public square. By integrating heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and social innovation, the project reinforces a sense of belonging and strengthens the village’s social fabric.
The initiative directly benefits local residents of all generations, including both long-term villagers and newcomers. Social housing provides opportunities for vulnerable groups, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Community organizations now have a dedicated space for cultural and social activities, while visitors and tourists engage with the region’s heritage, enriching the local economy.
At its core, this project preserves and repurposes the historic convent buildings, which had long been abandoned. The newly created public square provides a much-needed gathering place, enhancing civic engagement and village life. Environmental sustainability was prioritized by preserving green spaces, reusing materials, and applying climate-conscious building techniques. The project also empowered residents to take ownership of their village’s development, encouraging active citizenship.
This project now houses a social service center, a bed & breakfast, a sewing workshop, office spaces, and multi-purpose venues. The new public square serves as a vibrant meeting place for both daily interactions and community events. Seventeen social housing units provide homes for families of diverse backgrounds, further enriching the village’s social landscape. Ongoing community engagement through village council meetings, cultural events, and participatory planning ensures the site remains a dynamic part of village life.
This initiative stands as a model for rural revitalization, showing how heritage driven placemaking fosters belonging, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
The initiative directly benefits local residents of all generations, including both long-term villagers and newcomers. Social housing provides opportunities for vulnerable groups, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Community organizations now have a dedicated space for cultural and social activities, while visitors and tourists engage with the region’s heritage, enriching the local economy.
At its core, this project preserves and repurposes the historic convent buildings, which had long been abandoned. The newly created public square provides a much-needed gathering place, enhancing civic engagement and village life. Environmental sustainability was prioritized by preserving green spaces, reusing materials, and applying climate-conscious building techniques. The project also empowered residents to take ownership of their village’s development, encouraging active citizenship.
This project now houses a social service center, a bed & breakfast, a sewing workshop, office spaces, and multi-purpose venues. The new public square serves as a vibrant meeting place for both daily interactions and community events. Seventeen social housing units provide homes for families of diverse backgrounds, further enriching the village’s social landscape. Ongoing community engagement through village council meetings, cultural events, and participatory planning ensures the site remains a dynamic part of village life.
This initiative stands as a model for rural revitalization, showing how heritage driven placemaking fosters belonging, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
Community
Collaboration
Conservation
Repurposing
Diversity
This project was conceived to be sustainable in the broadest sense, integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability to ensure the long-term viability of both the historic convent site and the surrounding community. The key objectives in terms of sustainability focused on adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, environmental resilience, social inclusion, and fostering community-driven development. These objectives have been successfully met through a combination of strategic design, participatory planning, and sustainable construction practices.
The preservation and adaptive reuse of the existing buildings minimized wasted and embodied energy loss, while the integration of ecological insulation materials, passive energy-saving techniques and water management strategies ensured the buildings meet contemporary environmental standards without compromising their historic integrity. The lime trees, beech avenue and hedged lawns were all preserved, providing natural cooling and flood mitigation benefits. We also ensured economic sustainability by integrating mixed-use functions - including a social service center, bed & breakfast, sewing workshop and office spaces.
Village Square Meer can be exemplary in the way it serves as a replicable model for rural revitalization, proving that historic sites can be adapted to contemporary needs in an environmental, socially inclusive and economically viable way.
The preservation and adaptive reuse of the existing buildings minimized wasted and embodied energy loss, while the integration of ecological insulation materials, passive energy-saving techniques and water management strategies ensured the buildings meet contemporary environmental standards without compromising their historic integrity. The lime trees, beech avenue and hedged lawns were all preserved, providing natural cooling and flood mitigation benefits. We also ensured economic sustainability by integrating mixed-use functions - including a social service center, bed & breakfast, sewing workshop and office spaces.
Village Square Meer can be exemplary in the way it serves as a replicable model for rural revitalization, proving that historic sites can be adapted to contemporary needs in an environmental, socially inclusive and economically viable way.
Village Square Meer balances heritage conservation, contemporary design, and high-quality public space, creating a place of interaction, identity, and cultural expression. The project transforms the historic convent into a dynamic village center, enhancing its architectural beauty while fostering a meaningful experience for the community.
A key objective was to respect and enhance the site’s historical aesthetics while allowing for contemporary interventions. The convent buildings were carefully restored, preserving original materials and architectural integrity. Selective removals and additions introduced new functions without disrupting the site’s historic character, creating a seamless blend of old and new.
Another major goal was to create a central gathering space, something the village historically lacked. The transformation of the convent’s former playground into Meer’s first-ever public square provided an inviting, open space for residents. Its design prioritizes accessibility, flexibility, and social interaction, ensuring a vibrant public life for all generations.
Cultural enrichment was also central. The site now hosts community events, workshops, and performances, reinforcing its role as a cultural and social hub. By integrating history with modern functionality, Village Square Meer exemplifies the New European Bauhaus vision, proving that heritage can inspire inclusive, sustainable, and beautiful spaces for future generations.
A key objective was to respect and enhance the site’s historical aesthetics while allowing for contemporary interventions. The convent buildings were carefully restored, preserving original materials and architectural integrity. Selective removals and additions introduced new functions without disrupting the site’s historic character, creating a seamless blend of old and new.
Another major goal was to create a central gathering space, something the village historically lacked. The transformation of the convent’s former playground into Meer’s first-ever public square provided an inviting, open space for residents. Its design prioritizes accessibility, flexibility, and social interaction, ensuring a vibrant public life for all generations.
Cultural enrichment was also central. The site now hosts community events, workshops, and performances, reinforcing its role as a cultural and social hub. By integrating history with modern functionality, Village Square Meer exemplifies the New European Bauhaus vision, proving that heritage can inspire inclusive, sustainable, and beautiful spaces for future generations.
We really consider Village Square Meer to be a truly inclusive space, ensuring accessibility, affordability, and community participation at every level. This project transforms a once-privatized historic site into a shared public space that welcomes people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities while fostering a sense of belonging and collective ownership.
A key objective was universal accessibility. The public square, pathways, and buildings have been carefully designed to accommodate people with disabilities, elderly residents, and young families, ensuring easy movement and usability. Public seating, green areas, and an open, car-free environment make the space welcoming and safe for all.
Affordability was another crucial factor. The integration of 17 social housing units within the historic site ensures that people from diverse economic backgrounds can live in the village center. This mix of residents strengthens social cohesion and intergenerational exchange, reinforcing the idea that heritage sites can serve broad community needs rather than becoming exclusive spaces.
Governance and participation played a central role in the project’s success. From the start, the initiative was citizen-led, with local residents shaping decisions through village council meetings and participatory planning. The non-profit organization Convent Meer continues to ensure that the site remains accessible, adaptable, and rooted in community values.
We feel we can proudly state that Village Square Meer serves as a model for inclusive placemaking, demonstrating how historic sites can be reimagined as accessible, affordable, and socially dynamic spaces.
A key objective was universal accessibility. The public square, pathways, and buildings have been carefully designed to accommodate people with disabilities, elderly residents, and young families, ensuring easy movement and usability. Public seating, green areas, and an open, car-free environment make the space welcoming and safe for all.
Affordability was another crucial factor. The integration of 17 social housing units within the historic site ensures that people from diverse economic backgrounds can live in the village center. This mix of residents strengthens social cohesion and intergenerational exchange, reinforcing the idea that heritage sites can serve broad community needs rather than becoming exclusive spaces.
Governance and participation played a central role in the project’s success. From the start, the initiative was citizen-led, with local residents shaping decisions through village council meetings and participatory planning. The non-profit organization Convent Meer continues to ensure that the site remains accessible, adaptable, and rooted in community values.
We feel we can proudly state that Village Square Meer serves as a model for inclusive placemaking, demonstrating how historic sites can be reimagined as accessible, affordable, and socially dynamic spaces.
This was a citizen led- and partially citizen funded project. Peculiar about this village is the fact that it has no real public spaces like a market or a central square. The public space in this village used to be a widened road navigating between the old farm building. After the second world war car traffic took over this public space and the village lost its public market road. The convent site had always been significant to the villagers. People went to school in their own village, the parish hall served as a gathering place, and the outdoor space doubled as a park on weekends.
When the village school and parish hall closed its doors in 2005 the village's last semi-public space was under threat. The convent was on the market. Private investors were invited to bid on the property. The site was under threat of privatisation.
Following the initiative of only nine villagers a broad collective was forged, in which they involved local entrepreneurs, the regional social housing authorities, community welfare services, the monuments & site administration and an interdisciplinary design team of heritage architects (aNNo), urban planners (A2D ) and architects (D2A) . The collective of villagers (organised in the non-profit organization Convent Meer) and the social housing authorities (Bouwmaatschappij De Noorderkempen) managed to acquire the site in 2005.
Their involvement has ensured deep roots in the community, and continued engagement through events, social media, contact with the inhabitants etc. It's hard to understate the impact the community has had on this project and the other way around. This truly was a case of reïnstating a place to celebrate, to connect and to support the local economy by and for it's citizens.
When the village school and parish hall closed its doors in 2005 the village's last semi-public space was under threat. The convent was on the market. Private investors were invited to bid on the property. The site was under threat of privatisation.
Following the initiative of only nine villagers a broad collective was forged, in which they involved local entrepreneurs, the regional social housing authorities, community welfare services, the monuments & site administration and an interdisciplinary design team of heritage architects (aNNo), urban planners (A2D ) and architects (D2A) . The collective of villagers (organised in the non-profit organization Convent Meer) and the social housing authorities (Bouwmaatschappij De Noorderkempen) managed to acquire the site in 2005.
Their involvement has ensured deep roots in the community, and continued engagement through events, social media, contact with the inhabitants etc. It's hard to understate the impact the community has had on this project and the other way around. This truly was a case of reïnstating a place to celebrate, to connect and to support the local economy by and for it's citizens.
The success of Village Square Meer was built on strong collaboration across multiple levels, from local residents to regional and national institutions. Each stakeholder played a vital role in ensuring the project’s feasibility, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.
At the local level, the initiative was led by a grassroots collective of villagers who formed the non-profit organization Convent Meer. This group initiated the project, organized village council meetings, and actively shaped the design and functions of the site. Their continuous engagement ensured that the redevelopment reflected the needs and aspirations of the community, fostering a deep sense of ownership.
Regional and municipal authorities played a key role in securing funding, ensuring compliance with planning regulations, and integrating the project into broader rural development strategies. Bouwmaatschappij De Noorderkempen, the regional social housing authority, co-managed the project and facilitated the integration of affordable housing, reinforcing its social impact.
At the national level, the Flemish Agency for Heritage and Flemish Infrastructure Fund for Personal Matters (VIPA) provided critical financial support and policy guidance. Their involvement ensured that the project met heritage preservation standards while enabling innovative reuse.
The engagement of diverse stakeholders added immense value, blending grassroots activism with institutional support. This multi-level collaboration enabled a financially viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable transformation, making Village Square Meer a replicable model for heritage-based placemaking across Europe.
At the local level, the initiative was led by a grassroots collective of villagers who formed the non-profit organization Convent Meer. This group initiated the project, organized village council meetings, and actively shaped the design and functions of the site. Their continuous engagement ensured that the redevelopment reflected the needs and aspirations of the community, fostering a deep sense of ownership.
Regional and municipal authorities played a key role in securing funding, ensuring compliance with planning regulations, and integrating the project into broader rural development strategies. Bouwmaatschappij De Noorderkempen, the regional social housing authority, co-managed the project and facilitated the integration of affordable housing, reinforcing its social impact.
At the national level, the Flemish Agency for Heritage and Flemish Infrastructure Fund for Personal Matters (VIPA) provided critical financial support and policy guidance. Their involvement ensured that the project met heritage preservation standards while enabling innovative reuse.
The engagement of diverse stakeholders added immense value, blending grassroots activism with institutional support. This multi-level collaboration enabled a financially viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable transformation, making Village Square Meer a replicable model for heritage-based placemaking across Europe.
The design and implementation of Village Square Meer brought together expertise from heritage conservation, architecture, urban planning, landscape design, social housing, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. This collaboration ensured a holistic transformation of the historic convent site, balancing heritage preservation with modern social and environmental needs.
Heritage architects (aNNo) led the restoration, ensuring that the historic buildings were preserved while accommodating new functions. Urban planners (A2D) redesigned the spatial layout, creating Meer’s first public square, improving accessibility, and integrating the site into the village’s urban fabric. Architects (D2A) designed the social housing units, ensuring they complemented the historical setting while fostering social inclusion.
Landscape specialists worked to protect and enhance the natural environment, preserving mature trees, hedged lawns, and the historic beech avenue, while incorporating sustainable drainage solutions. Social housing experts ensured that the new residences met affordability and accessibility standards, supporting diverse community needs.
The non-profit organization Convent Meer played a key role in coordinating between experts and local residents, ensuring that the project remained community-driven. Regular village council meetings enabled direct interaction between professionals and citizens, fostering mutual learning and a design process that was truly participatory.
This interdisciplinary approach maximized the site’s cultural, social, and environmental value, creating an inclusive, sustainable, and heritage-rich village center. The success of this process serves as an exemplary model for rural revitalization and community-led heritage regeneration across Europe.
Heritage architects (aNNo) led the restoration, ensuring that the historic buildings were preserved while accommodating new functions. Urban planners (A2D) redesigned the spatial layout, creating Meer’s first public square, improving accessibility, and integrating the site into the village’s urban fabric. Architects (D2A) designed the social housing units, ensuring they complemented the historical setting while fostering social inclusion.
Landscape specialists worked to protect and enhance the natural environment, preserving mature trees, hedged lawns, and the historic beech avenue, while incorporating sustainable drainage solutions. Social housing experts ensured that the new residences met affordability and accessibility standards, supporting diverse community needs.
The non-profit organization Convent Meer played a key role in coordinating between experts and local residents, ensuring that the project remained community-driven. Regular village council meetings enabled direct interaction between professionals and citizens, fostering mutual learning and a design process that was truly participatory.
This interdisciplinary approach maximized the site’s cultural, social, and environmental value, creating an inclusive, sustainable, and heritage-rich village center. The success of this process serves as an exemplary model for rural revitalization and community-led heritage regeneration across Europe.
The innovative approach to heritage-driven rural revitalization used here, going beyond traditional conservation practices by integrating public space creation, social housing, and community-led governance. Unlike mainstream heritage projects that focus solely on preservation, this initiative demonstrates how historic sites can be dynamically repurposed to address contemporary social and environmental challenges.
One of its most innovative aspects is its bottom-up, citizen-led approach. Typically, heritage restoration projects are initiated by public authorities or private investors, with limited local involvement. In this case, a small group of villagers took the lead, forming the non-profit organization Convent Meer, ensuring that the site’s transformation was shaped by the needs and aspirations of the community. This participatory model fosters a strong sense of local ownership, making the project more resilient and adaptable over time.
The integration of social housing within a historic site is another key innovation. Rather than limiting the space to cultural or commercial uses, the project actively reintroduces residential life, ensuring affordability, diversity, and long-term activation of the site. This contrasts with the common trend of heritage sites becoming exclusive or gentrified spaces.
Additionally, the project challenges the traditional boundaries between public and private space by transforming a once-closed convent into the village’s first public square. This reinvention of the historic landscape prioritizes social encounters, accessibility, and inclusivity, proving that heritage preservation can drive urban and social innovation.
One of its most innovative aspects is its bottom-up, citizen-led approach. Typically, heritage restoration projects are initiated by public authorities or private investors, with limited local involvement. In this case, a small group of villagers took the lead, forming the non-profit organization Convent Meer, ensuring that the site’s transformation was shaped by the needs and aspirations of the community. This participatory model fosters a strong sense of local ownership, making the project more resilient and adaptable over time.
The integration of social housing within a historic site is another key innovation. Rather than limiting the space to cultural or commercial uses, the project actively reintroduces residential life, ensuring affordability, diversity, and long-term activation of the site. This contrasts with the common trend of heritage sites becoming exclusive or gentrified spaces.
Additionally, the project challenges the traditional boundaries between public and private space by transforming a once-closed convent into the village’s first public square. This reinvention of the historic landscape prioritizes social encounters, accessibility, and inclusivity, proving that heritage preservation can drive urban and social innovation.
The methodology here wa developed through a participatory, interdisciplinary, and heritage-led approach, ensuring that the transformation of the historic convent responded to the needs of the community while maintaining the site’s integrity. The methodology combined bottom-up citizen engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adaptive reuse principles, resulting in a socially and environmentally sustainable project.
A key aspect was community-driven decision-making. Local residents formed the non-profit organization Convent Meer to prevent the site’s privatization. Through village council meetings, citizens worked alongside experts and policymakers, ensuring the development aligned with local needs and aspirations. This participatory model fostered co-creation, local ownership, and long-term sustainability.
The design followed an interdisciplinary methodology, bringing together heritage architects (aNNo), urban planners (A2D), and architects (D2A), along with landscape designers, social housing specialists, and environmental experts. This ensured that the project addressed historical conservation, architectural integration, social inclusivity, and ecological resilience.
A heritage-led approach guided the project, emphasizing adaptive reuse over rigid restoration. Rather than treating the convent as a static monument, it was redefined as a living space, integrating new functions while respecting its historical significance. The public square, social housing, and cultural spaces were carefully designed to complement the site’s heritage, balancing preservation with transformation.
A phased implementation strategy ensured feasibility: acquiring the site (2005-2007), research and planning (2008-2010), coalition building (2011-2013), securing permits and funding (2014-2018), and realization (2018-2022). Each step strengthened financial, social, and institutional support.
A key aspect was community-driven decision-making. Local residents formed the non-profit organization Convent Meer to prevent the site’s privatization. Through village council meetings, citizens worked alongside experts and policymakers, ensuring the development aligned with local needs and aspirations. This participatory model fostered co-creation, local ownership, and long-term sustainability.
The design followed an interdisciplinary methodology, bringing together heritage architects (aNNo), urban planners (A2D), and architects (D2A), along with landscape designers, social housing specialists, and environmental experts. This ensured that the project addressed historical conservation, architectural integration, social inclusivity, and ecological resilience.
A heritage-led approach guided the project, emphasizing adaptive reuse over rigid restoration. Rather than treating the convent as a static monument, it was redefined as a living space, integrating new functions while respecting its historical significance. The public square, social housing, and cultural spaces were carefully designed to complement the site’s heritage, balancing preservation with transformation.
A phased implementation strategy ensured feasibility: acquiring the site (2005-2007), research and planning (2008-2010), coalition building (2011-2013), securing permits and funding (2014-2018), and realization (2018-2022). Each step strengthened financial, social, and institutional support.
This project demonstrates how grassroots action, adaptive reuse, and integrated public functions can successfully revitalize heritage while addressing contemporary social and environmental needs.
One of the most transferable aspects is its community-led governance model. A small group of residents formed a non-profit organization to prevent privatization, engaging in participatory planning through village council meetings. This bottom-up approach ensured local ownership and long-term sustainability—a method that can be applied to any town or village facing the loss of public space or historic landmarks.
The project also challenges conventional heritage conservation by embracing adaptive reuse. Rather than preserving buildings as static monuments, it integrates public spaces, social housing, and cultural venues, making them relevant for modern use. This model can be replicated in other historic convents, schools, or industrial sites, turning them into functional, community-driven assets.
Affordable housing within a heritage setting is another key takeaway. By combining restoration with social housing, the initiative prevented gentrification while strengthening social diversity. This approach can be adapted to small towns struggling with declining populations or urban areas in need of inclusive housing solutions.
Environmental strategies such as rainwater management, material reuse, and green infrastructure provide practical, sustainable solutions that can be integrated into other heritage projects at minimal cost.
A phased implementation strategy—starting with securing the site, building partnerships, and gradually executing restoration work—ensured long-term feasibility. This structured yet flexible approach makes it easier for communities to navigate funding, permits, and stakeholder engagement over time.
This model offers valuable insights for towns and villages across Europe looking to reclaim and redefine their historic spaces.
One of the most transferable aspects is its community-led governance model. A small group of residents formed a non-profit organization to prevent privatization, engaging in participatory planning through village council meetings. This bottom-up approach ensured local ownership and long-term sustainability—a method that can be applied to any town or village facing the loss of public space or historic landmarks.
The project also challenges conventional heritage conservation by embracing adaptive reuse. Rather than preserving buildings as static monuments, it integrates public spaces, social housing, and cultural venues, making them relevant for modern use. This model can be replicated in other historic convents, schools, or industrial sites, turning them into functional, community-driven assets.
Affordable housing within a heritage setting is another key takeaway. By combining restoration with social housing, the initiative prevented gentrification while strengthening social diversity. This approach can be adapted to small towns struggling with declining populations or urban areas in need of inclusive housing solutions.
Environmental strategies such as rainwater management, material reuse, and green infrastructure provide practical, sustainable solutions that can be integrated into other heritage projects at minimal cost.
A phased implementation strategy—starting with securing the site, building partnerships, and gradually executing restoration work—ensured long-term feasibility. This structured yet flexible approach makes it easier for communities to navigate funding, permits, and stakeholder engagement over time.
This model offers valuable insights for towns and villages across Europe looking to reclaim and redefine their historic spaces.
Preserving cultural heritage while addressing social, environmental, and spatial challenges is a growing global concern. This project offers a local solution to issues such as the loss of public space, rural depopulation, social inequality, and climate resilience, demonstrating how historic sites can be repurposed for sustainable, community-driven development.
One major challenge is the erosion of public and social spaces, particularly in small villages where privatization and car-centric planning have reduced gathering places. By transforming an abandoned convent into the village’s first public square, this project restores a sense of place and belonging, ensuring that heritage serves contemporary needs rather than becoming an isolated relic.
The integration of social housing within a historic site tackles the urgent issue of affordable and inclusive housing, preventing gentrification and ensuring diverse communities. At a time when rural areas struggle with population decline and social fragmentation, this approach strengthens local networks and intergenerational connections.
Environmental sustainability is another global concern. By preserving historic structures rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the project reduces carbon emissions and material waste, demonstrating the value of adaptive reuse. Additionally, green infrastructure, rainwater management, and biodiversity conservation contribute to local climate resilience, offering a model for sustainable rural regeneration.
This initiative proves that global challenges can be tackled through local, community-led solutions, making heritage a driver of social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
One major challenge is the erosion of public and social spaces, particularly in small villages where privatization and car-centric planning have reduced gathering places. By transforming an abandoned convent into the village’s first public square, this project restores a sense of place and belonging, ensuring that heritage serves contemporary needs rather than becoming an isolated relic.
The integration of social housing within a historic site tackles the urgent issue of affordable and inclusive housing, preventing gentrification and ensuring diverse communities. At a time when rural areas struggle with population decline and social fragmentation, this approach strengthens local networks and intergenerational connections.
Environmental sustainability is another global concern. By preserving historic structures rather than demolishing and rebuilding, the project reduces carbon emissions and material waste, demonstrating the value of adaptive reuse. Additionally, green infrastructure, rainwater management, and biodiversity conservation contribute to local climate resilience, offering a model for sustainable rural regeneration.
This initiative proves that global challenges can be tackled through local, community-led solutions, making heritage a driver of social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
The project has successfully revitalized a historic convent into the village’s first public square, creating a new focal point for community life while preserving cultural heritage. This transformation has significantly strengthened local identity, social cohesion, and accessibility.
For direct beneficiaries, the project provides a vibrant public space where residents can gather, interact, and engage in cultural and social activities. The integration of 17 social housing units ensures that the site remains affordable and inclusive, fostering a diverse and intergenerational community. The community center, local library, and workshop spaces offer daily opportunities for social connection, education, and creative expression.
For indirect beneficiaries, including visitors and the wider region, the project enhances cultural tourism, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability. The adaptive reuse of historic buildings preserves heritage while reducing material waste and carbon emissions, setting an example for sustainable rural development. The creation of a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly public square has improved the overall livability of the village, reinforcing a strong sense of place.
For direct beneficiaries, the project provides a vibrant public space where residents can gather, interact, and engage in cultural and social activities. The integration of 17 social housing units ensures that the site remains affordable and inclusive, fostering a diverse and intergenerational community. The community center, local library, and workshop spaces offer daily opportunities for social connection, education, and creative expression.
For indirect beneficiaries, including visitors and the wider region, the project enhances cultural tourism, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability. The adaptive reuse of historic buildings preserves heritage while reducing material waste and carbon emissions, setting an example for sustainable rural development. The creation of a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly public square has improved the overall livability of the village, reinforcing a strong sense of place.
