Maritime heritage Docklands Ghent
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The Ghent Docklands are being transformed into a new vibrant city district. The heritage of the old harbor activity is raised as the visual and identity determining carrier, with a particular focus on the harbor cranes. These 11 cranes now dominate the skyline of this new part of the city, as witnesses of the maritime past. This allows inhabitants and visitors to get a taste of this type of heritage and summon images of a past that took place right where they now stand.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
The City of Ghent received grants from the European ERDF project for the purchase, transport, restauration and installation of two harbor cranes in the Docklands (the Sobemai crane and ST1 crane) as well as the construction of a viewing platform on the ST1 crane.
This ERDF project ran from july 2017 to the end of 2020.
Description of the project
Summary
At the start of the project, the Docklands in Ghent was an abandoned and undefined port area, unknown to the local people. The history of this place was barely legible and was characterised by a deserted and dilapidated atmosphere. At the beginning of the project in 2010, the identity of the area was sought. The remaining maritime relics (mooring bollards, old quay walls, many train tracks, an old ship lift, ship chains, etc.) proved to be the essence of the old port activity. They were carefully inventoried and preserved in order to be integrated in the construction of the new public domain. Unfortunately, the larger objects, like most of the warehouses, had already been demolished. And from the dozens of harbour cranes that still were active in the Docklands in the 1980s, only two of them had been preserved.
However, new opportunities arose when the City of Ghent was able to save and acquire some disused harbor cranes from the active port area a few kilometres north. These harbour cranes were placed along the 4 kilometer long quay promenade, at the level of the green spaces in between the new buildings. In this way the harbor cranes emphasize the urban plan for the Docklands, the so-called 'chopstick’ model, in which green public spaces alternate with buildings blocks.
At the present time, the 11 harbour cranes determine the skyline and identity of the Docklands. The various crane silhouettes add an extra dimension to the new architecture. They are landmarks and meeting places in the new residential area, and offer a 150 years panorama of maritime history and crane technology. Today you can stroll between a hand crane from 1870, a steam crane from 1906, and several electric harbour cranes built between 1925 and 1986. The largest harbour crane is 55 metres high and has been supplemented with a viewpoint over the Docklands. For the residents, many of whom have their roots in port activities, these cranes are a form of identity.
Key objectives for sustainability
One of the main objectives in the construction of the public spaces in the Docklands was the thorough reuse of the structures and materials that were still on site. Old train tracks, mooring bollards, fences, ship chains, an old ship lift, etc. were carefully dismantled, restored and reintegrated in the reconstruction of the public space. But also the old paving materials were recovered, according to the principle of urban mining. Characteristic for the old port area were the rough granite cobblestones and the large bluestone blocks on the old quay walls. Instead of regarding these materials as construction waste to be disposed of as quickly as possible, they were stored almost entirely on site and reused in the construction of new the public spaces. This way, it was possible to avoid bringing in a lot of new building materials, which of course have to be mined or manufactured first. A double gain for the environment.
The reuse of the remaining materials was also essential to preserve the old port atmosphere in the new residential area. Lessons had been learned from other waterfront developments where new materials were used, as a result of which the soul of the area was lost.
In addition to focusing on the reuse of materials, the public spaces in the Docklands are entirely geared towards walking and cycling. Car traffic was kept out of the new residential area as much as possible. Maritime elements (such as ship chains) were placed in order to block the access of cars into the pedestrian zones.
The 4 kilometer long carfree promenade along the docks forms the backbone of the new district, and links together the various buildings and green spaces. The consistent focus on pedestrians and cyclists had a lasting effect that goes beyond initial expectations. The promenade became a hotspot for playing children, runners, skaters, yoga practitioners, etc. A part of the maritime promenade was even called the "Ghent Ramblas" due to the many walkers who frequent the area.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The location of the Docklands, just at the gateway of the historic city center of Ghent, provides a strong aesthetic image and a unique experience for inhabitants and visitors. The old port was built in 1827, more than 30 km away from the North Sea to receive sailing ships. The Ghent-Terneuzen canal was one of the first sea canals in the world. The Ghent seaport has long been an important element of Flanders' economy. The city grew up with the port. But the strong relationship between the seaport and the city of Ghent was barely visible for a long time, because the port activities were shielded and made inaccessible to the public.
The project for the preservation and integration of maritime heritage in the Docklands aimed at strengthening the readability of the old seaport near the city center. In addition to the 2 remaining cranes, 9 other harbor cranes have been installed since 2015. These harbor cranes have no functional value, but they are placed there to evoke the character and identity of the port.
At the detail level, the aim was to achieve a rough restoration of the maritime heritage, avoiding making everything "too clean". The typical rust colour on the metal objects was preserved and consolidated with special oil. The rust colour also forms the basis for the colour palette in the new public spaces. For example, it is found in the washed concrete runners of the promenade. Old and new come together harmoniously in the Docklands.
Key objectives for inclusion
The port is located in a more industrial district of the city. Before the Docklands redevelopment project started, the desolate area was characterized by fly-tipping, drug use and criminal activity. Today, we see that the area is reviving, and is heavily frequented and used by many different ages and target groups. A recent survey showed that the different users are a nice reflection of society, with a mix of various age groups, social backgrounds and nationalities.
The imposing maritime relics and the rough, industrial character of the site, have an undeniable appeal to young people. A target group that's otherwise difficult to reach. Young people meet each other in the recently constructed Kapitein Zeppos park at Houtdok. With the harbor cranes, we hope to inspire young people to choose a technical career that can connect to one of the 70.000 jobs in the port. The immense harbor cranes feed their fascination for technology.
Older people are also attracted by the unique character and maritime-industrial atmosphere of the area. There are many wedding and communion ceremonies that are photographed there, very often with the cranes as décor. The pedestrian promenade that runs under the cranes is the ideal place for young children to learn how to ride a bike.
The Docklands is also an example of integrated accessibility. Through the clever combination of the authentic raw materials with comfortable concrete runners, the seamless construction and the many ramps specially tailored for wheelchair users, the area can also be comfortably visited by people with disabilities.
Results in relation to category
Although the city is located 30 km inland, Ghent can rightfully call itself a sea port. The digging of the Ghent-Terneuzen canal (1823-1827) to link the city to the North Sea, and the construction of textile factories around the mediaeval city centre, turned Ghent into the most important industrial city in Flanders in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
The economic crisis in the 1970s put an end to that. Textile manufacturers shifted production to low-wage countries, factories were demolished and the port businesses abandoned the old docks and moved north of the city. This was the setting in which the Museum of Industry was founded in Ghent. Concerned about the possible loss of important industrial heritage, the small museum incorporated large steam engines and even a port crane into its collection. It gradually became clear, that integrating such large industrial objects into a museum setting was problematic.
The redevelopment of the Docklands offered the opportunity to return these large maritime objects into their original context, and at the same time to make them visible to the public.The 19th century port of Ghent was never visible or accessible to its inhabitants and visitors. There were fences everywhere, all maritime installations were locked up. With the construction of the 4km-long bicycle and pedestrian promenade along the Docklands, it is fully visible and accessible now for the first time. The harbor cranes, which were strategically placed along this promenade, ensure that it becomes clear to every passerby that this was once a very important economic area.
In recent years Ghent has made a significant contribution to anchoring historic harbor cranes in its urban landscape. Thanks to the purchase and installation of a number of discarded dock cranes, the city now has an impressive collection that tells the story of technical evolution, economic growth, urban development, dockers and skippers, and of the growing awareness of its past.
How Citizens benefit
Since the start of the project to redevelop the Docklands in 2010, there have been numerous initiatives to involve the population. There have been talk-shops, calls to share ideas, temporary projects with residents and non-profit organizations using the old warehouses and wastelands, etc. The public opinion has expressed a strong desire to not develop the Docklands as a dormitory district for the happy few who can afford a home here, but as a lively district where both young and old can explore and relax. There was also the request not to completely wipe out the rough character of the area by a new and “sterile” upscale development. Focusing on the preservation of the maritime heritage proved to be the ideal way to meet these demands.
The development of the Docklands area is currently still in full swing, but the cranes are already doing their work, attracting people and attention from far and wide. They evoke curiosity, admiration and a sense of connection. They encourage people to explore the entire area. They are serving as meeting places where people arrange to meet up or bump into each other, forming the ideal backdrop for pop-up summer bars and other cultural activities. During the “Sorry not Sorry” festival in 2017 and 2019 the cranes were adopted by artists to unroll several art installations and performances. The cranes represent a city with an industrial past, a city of entrepreneurs and a pleasant place to live.
Innovative character
Old harbour cranes are playing a role in several waterfront developments. The innovation of this project lies into the large scale and the authentic arrangement of the cranes in the old port area. In contrast to other cities (eg Antwerp, Hamburg), there has not been opted for a museum arrangement. Instead, the cranes have been strategically placed along the 4 kilometer long promenade around the docks. Each crane marks a public space or parc between the new buildings, forming an attraction point along the promenade. In this way, the crane landscape is intertwined with the larger urban plan for the Docklands.
Another innovation is that additional cranes from outside the area were transported to the Docklands in Ghent. However, all cranes have some kind of connection with the history of Ghent: they were either used in the Ghent harbor during its long history, or they are (partly) made in Ghent (such as the Nivelles crane which was donated from the Maritime Museum of Rotterdam to the city of Ghent).
Furthermore, the city decided to also integrate more recent crane types in the Oude Dokken. The most recent crane dates from 1986. Precisely these more recent crane types are not yet protected or valuated as industrial heritage and are in danger of being lost. They nevertheless have a strong image value, and together with the older cranes, they have a significant ensemble value and illustrate the evolution of technology over the last 150 years.
Finally, the Ghent City council is not afraid to opt for less common ways of reusing its maritime heritage. One crane was not placed on its historic portal, but on a new low plinth which makes the engine room accessible to the large public (also for wheelchair users). The largest crane was supplemented with a 15 meters high viewing platform, overlooking the Docklands and the historical city centre. One crane is in private hands, and has been equipped with an unique office space.
