LITERALLY: This is how the City of Kortrijk gets to work with ideas from Kortrijkzanen (PRESS RELEASE)
Between September 2 and 9, the people of Kortrijk gave almost 400 suggestions and ideas to add to the administrative agreement. This ranged from general policy recommendations to very concrete projects. All proposals were examined by the city council in consultation with the services involved.
Several proposals had already been included in the administrative agreement in one form or another. Many citizens advocated this more police officers. The administrative agreement provides for 40 additional police officers to be added during this legislature. Strengthening the neighborhood work team is a spearhead in the plans that are currently being developed for this purpose. Another pain point that often came back is more public toilets
which are also accessible to people with disabilities. That is also one of the issues that the city coalition wants to focus on in the coming years.
Other proposals were certainly valuable but not feasible in the current financial context. For example, there was a proposal to redesign and green the Veemarkt. This was already investigated by the city council in the conclave discussions, but unfortunately it could not be provided for in the budgets of this legislature.
There were also a lot of suggestions for certain things renovate streets or sidewalks. This legislature is investing heavily in this. For example, the budget for footpaths is doubled. The suggestions made by citizens are included in this exercise and will be assessed objectively.
From waste bin to allotment garden
The city council is including many of the suggestions made by Kortrijk residents in its plans. We provide a selection of a number of striking examples of this.
A citizen suggested more waste bins at nature reserves
such as the Vlasakker. Legally speaking, waste bins are not allowed in nature reserves, but they are allowed at the entrances. That will also be scheduled. Someone asked for one dog walking area to be provided in the center of the city. The city council wants to work on this and is looking for a suitable location.
Local residents suggested around the small park on Monseigneur De Haernelaan
and to upgrade Sint-Sebastiaanslaan and allow neighborhood activities there. It was therefore decided, as the first of a larger cleaning operation, to have the statue in this park freshened up. The area department will consult with local residents to further develop the plans. A nice suggestion from local residents was to rename the mini park ‘Haernehof’.
We are working on various proposals to make certain locations greener. A nice proposal came up to… gray back of the kiosk on the Schouwburgplein
can be brightened up with art or greenery. It will therefore be examined whether a facade garden can be installed here. In addition, it was also requested to make the Schouwburgplein greener. That is not possible because this square serves as an events square and also houses the weekly Monday market. But another proposal from a citizen might be able to remedy that. After all, we want to work on it mobile forests. These are movable trees that can efficiently provide more greenery in the streetscape.
A resident suggested doing it in Marke to make the square at the end of Van Belleghemdreef greener
to create a beautiful corridor into the play forest. A number of surrounding streets are already planned for renovation. We are investigating how we can include this square in this exercise.
A resident requested allotments in the center to investigate. It is true that a herb garden was provided when the Begijnhof and surrounding area were redeveloped. We will look at how we can turn this into a collaboration with local residents.
The problem of the head of the was pointed out Casino Square. There is often illegal parking or drivers cross the square illegally. That is why we were asked to give the square a better use. We want to do this with mobile flower boxes and forests. We are working out a plan for this.
Someone suggested getting rid of the reservation lane for the R8
to create a green lung on the Doorniksesteenweg. At the city’s proposal, the Flemish government decided to cancel the extension of the R8. The city has yet to acquire the land. In the meantime, a vision can already be developed for the redesign of the zone.
A creative idea that we will investigate is the proposal to create a… virtual reality viewer to install that shows what it looked like in the past. A little further on, in the Beguinage Park, someone wants one sculpture park
install by analogy with Antwerp’s Middelheim Park. The plans for the entire Beguinage Park are still being drawn up, but this interesting suggestion will be included. Another option for a sculpture park is at ‘t Hoge near the crematorium. This is in line with an earlier proposal by the renowned city planner Bernardo Secchi.
Creative proposals were also submitted to brighten up the street scene in various ways. This is how we look at the proposal children’s drawings on electrical boxes and other public infrastructure. For stickers for commercial establishments collaborations with local artists can be started to give it a fresh look.
There were also suggestions to improve existing plans of the city government. That’s how the city wants it project Visite
visiting more elderly people. A Kortrijk resident suggested focusing on specific profiles such as recently single seniors or people who have just moved. A useful suggestion that we will certainly take into account. Another resident grabbed the plans around it reducing our residual waste
to explain how he manages to only need 4 residual waste bags per year. That is why we will consult with this person to see how his approach can provide valuable tips for all Kortrijk residents.
Also a proposal to local trees to donate to Kortrijk residents on special occasions will be further elaborated. It was already planned to donate a tree shoot to Kortrijk residents who get married. It is a nice addition to choose the Kortrijk oak, for example. To combat the Asian Hornet
To increase this, a citizen suggested training one or more city employees for this purpose. Another strong proposal that we are implementing.
The suggestion to have one is heart-warming worthy commemoration to provide for people who have died and for whom no surviving relatives are known. The city is discussing this with various partners.