Tondelier site

This was once the site of a gasworks, which was founded in 1881 by the ‘Compagnie du Gaz de Gand’. The plant produced gas used to light factories and the gas lamps in the streets of Ghent. At the time, these street lights were lit manually every night by a lamplighter, also called ‘tondelier’ in the local Ghent dialect. Nowadays, two of the five original gas tanks are silent reminders of this site’s past. These large tanks were used to store the gas produced from coal.

The gasworks stopped producing gas in the 1940s. Most of the infrastructure was demolished and the site was repurposed as a gas distribution centre. Three of the five gas tanks were used until the 1980s. The two gas tanks that are still standing today have been listed as a protected monument. After a thorough restoration, they have been integrated into the new neighbourhood park.

Tondelier park is now the heart of the neighbourhood. Landscape architect Denis Dujardin designed the park with a focus on large open spaces and room for what he calls ‘the art of living’. Quality of life, sustainability, visual quality, ease of use and the connection between different generations were key in his concept. Wide open views, wild grasses, straight paths, a high level of biodiversity and large mature trees that will continue to grow with the park are its main assets. Tondelier park is Ghent’s second largest park after Citadelpark.

This site also includes a residential area. Residential units in a public park are quite unique in Europe. All buildings are near-energy neutral and are heated by the residual heat network. Green roofs and a stylised concrete water basin collect and distribute rainwater. In addition, residents with green fingers can use their talents in the Tondelier veggie patches and in the community garden. Apart from residential units, the site also features local shops, office spaces and a sports hall.

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