Climate-resilient urban design
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What Makes Urban Spaces Truly Climate-Resilient?
Be Inspired by the Story of Camilo Torres Leuven
Climate-resilient urban design is more than just a buzzword—it’s a real challenge for everyone involved in public and semi-public spaces. But what does it mean in practice? In Leuven, a unique green semi-public space is nestled between student residences: a place where simplicity, forward thinking and smart choices come together. What can we learn from this for every type of outdoor space, both today and tomorrow?
Set between the buildings of the Camilo Torres student housing, this courtyard garden has demonstrated for decades that sustainable choices have a lasting impact. Here, nature, practical usability and social interaction seamlessly blend. The space proves that climate-resilient urban design goes beyond simple greening: it requires thoughtful material selection, flexible street furniture and an open approach to who the users are.
A Living Lesson in Sustainable Urban Development
This courtyard began as an innovative student project in the 1970s and remains a source of inspiration today. The garden combines gently sloping paths, shady planting and a sense of natural calm. Years later, at the request of KU Leuven, the Tramet benches from the Escofet 1886 collection were added, supplied by Servibo. These benches, without backrests, perfectly suit the user group: mobile young people and passers-by of all ages who pause, meet, or briefly spend time in the space.
This subtle update illustrates that a resilient outdoor area can evolve with the times without losing its essence. By choosing robust, low-maintenance furniture from certified suppliers, the space remains relevant for generations.
Why This Semi-Public Space Works—and What We Can Learn
The strength of the Camilo Torres garden lies in the interplay of design, materials and use. There are no fleeting trends here, but conscious, sustainable choices that stand the test of time:
- Long lifespan: Robust materials from reputable suppliers, suitable for intensive use.
- Minimal maintenance: Both the greenery and the street furniture require little upkeep.
- Resilient design: Natural shading, smart pathways and timeless furniture support a climate-resilient approach.
- Flexible layout: The absence of backrests makes the benches versatile for different users, with a focus on mobile people and passers-by.
From Inspiration to Concrete Solutions
This space demonstrates that climate-resilient urban design calls for sustainable choices and collaboration with experienced suppliers. Servibo advises governments, developers and designers to invest in proven, timeless solutions for both public and semi-public areas. By thinking long-term and choosing quality, every outdoor space becomes a resilient core for encounters and nature.
Curious how such a semi-public space truly comes to life and what insights it offers for your own project?
Read the full blogpost on Camilo Torres Leuven and discover the lessons for climate-resilient urban design.
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Camilo Torres Leuven:
Climate-Resilient Urban Design in Practice
Between the student residences of Camilo Torres, you’ll find a green space from the 1970s where simplicity, timeless design, and thoughtful choices come together. Discover how this spot in Leuven inspires future-proof outdoor spaces and sustainable street furniture.
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KU Leuven Gasthuisberg Campus:
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This campus area shows how an apparently ordinary passageway can provide a true mental pause. Discover how non-directive design and durable materials create a place that combines calm, connection, and usability.
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The design of this courtyard remains inspiring today due to its timeless simplicity and user-centred approach. Servibo sees how the combination of considered greenery, strategic pathways and flexible street furniture results in a space that is still relevant after fifty years. This approach aligns closely with core values such as sustainability, social interaction and aesthetics, which Servibo upholds in its own advisory work and product selection.
Moreover, this garden demonstrates the value of long-term thinking: investing in quality, natural materials and an open layout gives any space resilience. Partners such as Escofet 1886 show that recognised craftsmanship and certified production processes add to this durability. For Servibo, the project serves as a reference point for forward-thinking urban policy.
Flexible street furniture ensures that different user groups feel welcome. Servibo supplied Tramet benches without backrests in this context, enabling students and passers-by to move freely, pause, or meet. Such choices are perfectly suited to a multifunctional interpretation of urban in-between spaces.
By adapting the benches to the user profile, the space becomes inviting rather than prescriptive. For Servibo, this project demonstrates how the right furniture choice enhances the character and experience of a space. Collaboration with partners such as Escofet 1886 ensures this flexibility goes hand in hand with sustainability and strong aesthetics..
Low-maintenance furniture structurally lowers costs and ensures stable quality over the years. Servibo consistently advises investing in materials and finishes that require little maintenance, as seen in this case with robust Tramet benches from Escofet 1886. This is not only financially beneficial, but also supports the sustainability ambitions of cities and stakeholders.
Long-term use without intensive maintenance contributes to the lifespan of the entire outdoor area. For Servibo, it is essential that each partner not only supplies products, but also considers the long-term perspective. This fits with current societal themes such as responsible management and the circular economy
In the Camilo Torres courtyard, the furniture is deliberately tailored to mobile, young users and passing visitors. Servibo supplied benches without backrests, facilitating short breaks and meetings without promoting prolonged, static use. This creates a space that matches the rhythm of a student residence and a diverse, dynamic audience.
This user-oriented approach fits Servibo’s mission to provide solutions that truly work in their context. By listening to the needs of managers and architects and working with brands such as Escofet 1886, durable and accessible spaces for everyone are created.
Working with certified partners ensures that projects meet high standards for quality and sustainability. Servibo selects partners such as Escofet 1886 because they can demonstrate that their production processes are environmentally friendly and reliable. This is relevant for every client investing in future-proof outdoor space.
Certification not only supports sustainable material choices, but also increases confidence in the durability and origin of products. For Servibo, these collaborations form the basis for innovative and socially responsible solutions that are widely applicable in towns and cities.
The success of the Camilo Torres courtyard shows that sustainable, flexible and aesthetically strong choices result in spaces that remain attractive for many years. Servibo sees this project as an inspiring blueprint for urban developers and managers aiming for climate-resilient, inviting places.
The combination of timeless design, collaboration with experienced partners and a focus on the user are, according to Servibo, the key to relevant public space. Themes such as greening, social cohesion and management come together in a concrete, proven example.
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