Covering Antwerp's ring road is a historic opportunity. In 2018, government consultant and curator Alexander D’Hooghe and his team completed the design of 18 capping and quality of life projects in 2018.VITO’s researchers  provided advice on the potential impact of each design on the air quality.

In close cooperation with several organisations and the citizens of Antwerp a selection of concrete and feasible quality of life projects for the Antwerp ring zone was made. Both capping and other infrastructural measures to enhance quality of life in the ring zone. The whole process involved 6 design teams in as many of the city's districts. VITO was consulted by the curator's team as well as the 6 design teams on all aspects of air quality.

Project highlights

During the various phases of the design process qualitative and quantitative feedback was used to establish the quality of life projects' impact on the air quality in the ring zone. This was done based on the available expertise and air quality modelling scenarios for 2020 and 2030. The fact that VITO was closely involved in the design processes, combined with short communication lines whith the teams led to the right approach to incorporate our air quality knowhow and expertise into the quality of life projects.