(Be)Leefbare Schelde
The Scheldt estuary forms a unique geological entity that links the border region between Flanders and the Netherlands. The region shares a common cultural and historical heritage, as well as a shared challenge for the future. Strong cooperation is required to establish the project area as a leading tourist destination.
About us
Discover this hidden gem: the Scheldt estuary, a nature reserve linking Flanders and the Netherlands!
(Be)Leefbare Schelde
The Scheldt Delta is a unique cross-border area linking Flanders and the Netherlands. The Scheldt, the tides and the sea have shaped the landscape and continue to determine how people live, work and enjoy their leisure time here. As a result, the area boasts a unique combination of geology, nature, water, heritage and cultural history.
Since 27 March 2024, the Scheldt Delta has been recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark. The Geopark covers approximately 5,500 km² in the Dutch provinces of Zeeland and North Brabant and in the Flemish provinces of Antwerp, West Flanders and East Flanders. This recognition highlights the area’s exceptional geological and landscape value, as well as the importance of cooperation and sustainable development.
In the Interreg Flanders-Netherlands project (Be)Leefbare Schelde, Flemish and Dutch partners are working together to make this special area more accessible and engaging. This is being achieved through, amongst other things, new routes and points of interest, exhibitions, museum displays, public activities and projects that bring the stories of the landscape and the Scheldt to life.
Knowledge development
Knowledge development, visitor distribution and collaboration within the Geopark also form part of the project. All insights are translated into practical tools that partners can put to use. These tools are also made public and are available to everyone.
Route Structures, Gems and Gateways
Various results are now visible. An interactive Geopoint has been created at the MAP-Mercator in Sint-Niklaas, and in Mariakerke, the redesigned Duinenstraat, featuring a cycle and walking route, has been opened. The travelling exhibition ‘Geowonder’ is bringing the story of the Scheldt Delta to the attention of the public at various locations. Within the ‘Smakelijke Zwinstreek’ and ‘Beleef de Bevelanden’ initiatives, entrepreneurs and local producers have been brought together, and new products, routes and activities have been developed. The art installation ‘Water & Woord’, the ‘Dichter bij Water’ Festival, the ‘Waterbouwers’ exhibition and the ‘Scheepswerven Baasrode’ project have also yielded tangible public outcomes.
In the coming period, projects will include the new museum experience at the Markiezenhof, the Rupelklei Museum – including the creation of the AR Sandbox – the immersive space in the Zwin Nature Park, the refurbishment of the Oosterschelde Museum, the interactive exhibits along the ‘Linie van de Eendracht’, the historic tide mill, the restoration of the stream valley in Niel, and various new routes and points of interest such as the De Bevelanden Experience Route, the Baasrode ‘missing link’, the water connections between the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, the Bulskampveld Forest Experience Trail and the Moervaartdepressie Experience Route. Step by step, a network of places is emerging where visitors can discover the landscape, history and stories of the Scheldt Delta for themselves.
Sustainability
The project is committed to sustainability in order to combat climate change and aims to promote inclusivity. In this way, (Be)Leefbare Schelde contributes at various levels to making tourism more sustainable and more widely distributed.
Partners
The (Be)Leefbare Schelde project runs from 15 August 2023 to 14 November 2027. Together with 23 partners from Flanders and the Netherlands, we are working to create a Scheldt Delta where the area’s unique story is not only told, but can also be truly experienced.
(Be)Leefbare Schelde is a collaboration between the education sector, research, government and the business community. HZ University of Applied Sciences is the lead partner. Other partners include: Thomas More Mechelen-Antwerp, the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (KBIN)/Belgian Geological Survey (BGD), the Province of Antwerp, the Province of West Flanders, the Province of East Flanders, the Province of North Brabant, the Province of Zeeland, the National Museum of the 1953 Floods Foundation, the City of Sint-Niklaas, the City of Ostend, the Municipality of Rumst, the Municipality of Puurs-Sint-Amands, the Municipality of Bergen op Zoom, the Municipality of Steenbergen, Vrijbuiter VOF, Tourism East Flanders, Westtoer and the Zuidwaterlinie Alliantie Management Foundation.
For further information about the project, please contact the project coordinator, HZ UAS, at annelies.koomansvandendries@hz.nl