A greener, healthier Leuven: measuring our impact

As part of VARCITIES, each Pilot implemented a portfolio of Visionary Solutions aimed at transforming public spaces into healthier, greener, and more inclusive environments. Through co-creation with local communities and the integration of digital, social, and nature-based innovations, the pilots addressed specific urban challenges related to accessibility, well-being, and sustainability. To understand the effectiveness of these interventions, a comprehensive set of indicators (Key Performance Indicators or KPI) was monitored throughout the project.

The data collected offers valuable insights into the local impact of the solutions implemented, helping to inform future urban development strategies both within and beyond our Pilot.

This is our impact in Leuven!

Increased recreational or cultural value of green spaces

The Leuven pilot has shown how temporary, creative interventions like VS1 (Olevodroom) can generate meaningful cultural and recreational value for local communities. In 2024, 89 events were organised, attracting more than 24,800 participants of all ages. Neighbourhood gatherings, family activities, after-school workshops, dance classes, theatre performances, and concerts turned the site into a vibrant hub of social and cultural life. Building on this success, the Olevodroom returned in the summer of 2025, continuing to enrich the neighbourhood’s recreational fabric!

Reclamation of building materials

Circularity and sustainability were key principles in the design of the VS1: Around 80% of the wood used came from the former strutcture (Velodroom), while the remaining materials were either reused on site, transformed into new artistic objects, or repurposed structurally.

Similarly, 90% of the steel and 80% of smaller elements such as screws and bolts were reclaimed, demonstrating how large-scale cultural infrastructures can integrate reclaimed and recycled materials while still delivering high-quality spaces for citizens.

Increased and improved participation

Active citizen participation was central to the success of Leuven’s Visionary Solution. A total of 899 citizens were engaged across co-design workshops, neighbourhood events, learning activities, and co-implementation sessions.

Their contributions shaped decisions at every stage, from design to implementation and evaluation, ensuring that the space reflected community needs and aspirations. This open, participatory approach not only improved the quality of the interventions but also fostered stronger community ownership and engagement.

Definition of parameters for (re)designing of green public spaces based on the well-being of users

The Leuven pilot contributed valuable knowledge on how to design flexible, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces that enhance well-being. VS1, the Olevodroom served as a testbed for defining design parameters such as adaptability, multifunctionality, accessibility, and circularity. Lightweight, modular structures were prioritised to safeguard ecological integrity, while providing diverse and multifunctional spaces for cultural, recreational, and social activities.

The Leuven pilot showed that by combining flexibility with inclusivity and sustainability, green public spaces and related interventions can be designed to respond to evolving community dynamics while maximising ecological and social benefits.