The project area has been characterised by a high population density that often goes hand in hand with a break in the water catchment. These actions are aimed at increasing the natural capacity for water catchment, leading to a reduction of the risk of flooding and a positive effect on biodiversity.

Within an urban or urbanised area, it’s not always easy to provide sufficient water catchment. Within the Belini project, we are therefore providing extra capacity for natural catchment for example, along the Zenne and along the Hain river in Kasteelbrakel. A new flooding area will also be created in Halle. Several large land and water redevelopment projects, such as those in the valley of the Molenbeek and the Ijse rivers, are being implemented. In the Demer valley in Diest, an earlier meandering will once more be connected to the Demer river.

Reinstatement of the meandering

A waterway can increase the capacity of its catchment through digging out or reconnecting to former turns in the river (meanders). Moving back towards its natural course, the waterway is extended and therefore has a higher capacity. A winding river has more variation in its flow, banks, depths and shallows and greater biodiversity. Furthermore, it stimulates the natural purity of the river.