Platform on architecture, interior design and landscape architecture
The City of Nieuwpoort and OVAM will soon sign a cooperation agreement for the redevelopment of the former Produits Chimiques de Nieuport (PCN) site, better known as ‘Swartesfabriek.’ This was approved last night by the city council. Together, they aim to transform this abandoned industrial site and the surrounding plots into a sustainable residential and living environment, with a particular focus on circular redevelopment.
The site is located on Pieter Deswartelaan, southeast of downtown Nieuwpoort. The name ‘Swartesfabriek’ refers to Pieter Deswarte, the factory’s founder. The avenue is also named after him.
The former PCN site has a long history of remediation. Since 2007, OVAM has carried out various soil remediation projects. Contaminated waste piles, sludge, and contaminated soil were removed from the property owned by OVAM and the city of Nieuwpoort. The groundwater was also remediated. The portion of the site that is still privately owned will be addressed during the redevelopment.
With the new cooperation agreement, the City of Nieuwpoort and OVAM are now moving from remediation to redevelopment. The agreement serves as the starting point for drafting a vision statement in which both partners set out their ambitions for the site’s future. OVAM aims to make this project a model of circular redevelopment. The focus will be on sustainable land use, the reuse of materials, biodiversity, climate resilience, and a healthy living environment.
The goal is to transform the former brownfield into a forward-looking and sustainable residential environment that adds value to Nieuwpoort and its residents. In doing so, the City of Nieuwpoort and OVAM aim to demonstrate that contaminated and abandoned sites, once remediated, can once again play a meaningful role in the city.
“With this project, we are demonstrating that soil remediation can be more than just the removal of contamination. Where possible, we want to capitalize on the opportunities that arise after remediation to enable sustainable, circular, and forward-looking developments.”
The Swartesfabriek demonstrates how we can enable contaminated and abandoned sites to once again contribute to the future of our cities. Through the partnership between OVAM and the City of Nieuwpoort, we are creating additional housing without encroaching on any more open space. This is good for Nieuwpoort, for the living environment, and for future generations.”
The City of Nieuwpoort also sees potential for the land occupied by the municipal workshops on Justus Van Clichthovenstraat. Since the various departments of the City of Nieuwpoort’s Technical Services will be moving to a brand-new Technical Center on the De Noordvaart industrial park starting in January 2027, these workshops will soon stand vacant. These sites are also covered by the agreement with OVAM.
Mayor Kris Vandecasteele is pleased that this entire urban area is undergoing a much-needed revitalization: “The former industrial zone along Pieter Deswartelaan is a place with tremendous potential, but that range of possibilities has never really been tapped in the recent past. The site of the municipal workshops also holds great value from an urban planning perspective. By joining forces with OVAM, we can give these unexplored parts of Nieuwpoort a new, high-quality purpose. In doing so, we are focusing on sustainable development, ample green space, a healthy living environment, areas for children to play, safe connections for pedestrians and cyclists, and parking options. We are also considering how to preserve the connection with the historic cityscape and the surrounding landscape.
