From war damage to community heart: a place shaped by history
Kristus Koningplein wasn’t created by design — it emerged from destruction. In 1945, a V2 bomb left a vacant lot in the heart of Ekeren. Over time, this accidental void became an impromptu car park, void of comfort, cohesion or identity. For decades, the space served merely as a car park — until, in the 2000s, it was reimagined as a shared public space.
Today, it reflects a deliberate and forward-thinking design vision: a community hub where tradition, daily use, and future readiness converge.
A public space that evolves with its people
The renewed Kristus Koningplein reflects a bold yet sensitive approach to contemporary village squares. It’s a place where community markets, informal meetings, festivals and moments of calm coexist — thanks to a spatial design that prioritises openness, accessibility and modular usability.
What makes this square unique is how it has continuously grown and evolved with its surroundings. Public space here is not static; it adapts. The most recent additions — such as retractable bollards and expanded planting areas — demonstrate how targeted, small-scale interventions can generate major impact in terms of usability, safety and climate resilience.
A unified space, from façade to façade
The square was paved entirely in high-quality granite, creating a unified, legible surface with no level changes. By removing a former access road, planners opened up the space visually and physically, making room for trees, gathering spots and cultural expression.
Generously sized tree pits, filled with granulate and structural soil crates, provide root volume and ensure long-term tree health — while protecting the paving from upheaval. Above ground, custom seating, a children-friendly fountain, and timber-finished LED lighting poles enhance the square’s atmosphere, comfort and character.
A public stage for both ritual and everyday use
Flexibility is the foundation. Kristus Koningplein was deliberately designed to support daily functionality and large public events without additional setup infrastructure. From the weekly market to the Bierpruver Festival, the Jaarmarkt funfair, and the historic Keizerrijden tradition, the square seamlessly adapts to changing programs — thanks to its layout, openness, and subtle integration of functional elements.
In urban design terms, it embodies the concept of a highly responsive public realm, built for active transformation without sacrificing quality or visual integrity..
Retractable bollards: safety and flexibility without complexity
In 2023, a new layer of functionality was added to the square: manual retractable bollards. These cylindrical steel elements can be raised or lowered on demand, defining spaces and ensuring pedestrian safety during car-free events.
- In raised position, they provide clear visual boundaries between traffic zones and pedestrian areas.
- When lowered, they disappear flush into the paving — maintaining the square’s visual calm.
These retractable elements do not rely on electricity or hydraulics. Their strength lies in their simplicity: they are durable, low-maintenance, and easy to operate. For municipalities looking for flexible traffic management tools that integrate seamlessly into public space, this solution offers a compelling balance between functionality, aesthetics, and cost efficiency.
From Ekeren to De Panne: flexible squares across Belgium
The retractable elements on Kristus Koningplein are not unique. They are also proving their value as flexible infrastructure solutions in other towns and villages. In Baasrode, an aesthetically refined version with black cast concrete and powder-coated tubes was chosen, subtly tailored to the streetscape.
These elements can also be found in Merksem, Hoboken and on Theaterplein in Antwerp. There, they transform the space from a car park to a market square during the iconic Exotic Market on Saturdays and the Vogelenmarkt on Sundays – hotspots for street food and urban vibrancy.
Even in De Panne, they play a leading role on the market and events square, where temporary functions require a fast and reliable system. These diverse applications show that technology, aesthetics and context sensitivity can go hand in hand. Whether in a bustling city centre or a quiet village square, the adaptability and reliability of this system transcends local boundaries.
More than aesthetics: urban design as public service
What stands out in the design is not only the visual unity, but also the response to social issues such as:
- Climate resilience: through greening and softening, smart root zones and light-permeable paving.
- Accessibility: barrier-free construction and seating suitable for all ages.
- Sustainability: long service life, robust materials, low maintenance requirements.
This makes Kristus Koningplein a model project for other municipalities, provinces or public institutions striving to create resilient and meaningful outdoor spaces.
Change, resistance and dialogue: space as process
No transformation of this scale happens without tension. In Ekeren, the rebalancing of space — particularly the reduction of parking spots — raised questions from local residents and shopkeepers. But rather than seeing resistance as a setback, the city treated it as part of the process. Public meetings and neighbourhood feedback loops helped refine the design and shape new expectations about what public space can be.
This experience underlines the importance of adaptive planning, not just in technical terms, but as a social and political process. Space isn’t just physical — it’s cultural, emotional, and symbolic. By embracing that complexity, the Kristus Koningplein project became not just a square, but a catalyst for civic dialogue.
A square for quiet moments and lively gatherings
What stands today in Ekeren is more than infrastructure. Kristus Koningplein is a space for resting and celebrating, for everyday movement and extraordinary events. Its strength lies not in any one feature, but in the harmony between spatial logic, material integrity, and social relevance.
For planners, architects and policy-makers, it offers a powerful case study in how adaptive design, simple mechanics and climate awareness can come together to create a meaningful, modern village square — ready for whatever comes next.
What this project teaches us about public space
The redevelopment of Kristus Koningplein shows how small interventions can cause a major shift in use, perception and identity. The square proves that infrastructure does not have to be rigid, but can move with the community that uses it every day.
Retractable elements, visual tranquillity, greening and customised aesthetics make the square not only functional, but also meaningful. For other cities and towns, this is an example of how sustainability, flexibility and design quality can come together to create a resilient public space — ready to change with the times without losing its character.
Products in this project
Want to learn more about this project ?
You can find additional information on the following websites :
Commissioned by : District Ekeren / Stad Antwerpen
Landscape architect : LAND Landschapsarchitecten icw Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies
Contractor project : ATF NV
Contractor adjustments : Verbruggen BV
- Masterplan Kristus Koningplein : Stad Antwerpen (website in Dutch)
- Project Sheet : LAND Landschapsarchitecten (website in Dutch)
- Project Sheet : Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies (website in Dutch)
- Project Sheet : Databank Publieke Ruimte (website in Dutch)
- Project Sheet : Team Vlaams Bouwmeester (website in Dutchs)