Waterscapes in Transformation    
KU Leuven Studio "Waterscapes in transformation"
Project location: Blankenberge, Belgium 
Year: 2017

 

The project site is situated in Blankenberge, Belgium. The objective of the studio was to present alternative ideas and strategies for coastal cities to address the issue of flooding caused by global climate change.

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In the Blankenberge area, there is a problem of excessive water from the polder lands, resulting in flooding in inhabited and agricultural areas. This surplus water stems from the increasing annual precipitation and the accumulation of rainwater from the surrounding regions.

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Considering the abundance of rainwater as the primary concern, I contemplated ways in which this water could be utilized for the town's benefit. A specific water purification process can transform contaminated water into drinkable quality. As water becomes a scarce resource worldwide, the excess water in Blankenberge could be employed to fulfill local demands and exported to regions where water scarcity is a pressing issue.

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I proposed a scheme consisting of three water purification plants. The first is a household-scale plant that can provide locally purified water for individual household needs. The second is a medium-sized plant serving a small town or neighborhood. Lastly, the largest plant is an export water facility designed for storing, cleaning, and shipping the surplus water from Blankenberge's polder area to locations where water is in high demand.