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Building an Open Urban Experience

From vacancy to vibrancy

Discover how BOS transforms an outdated shopping street into a vibrant, sustainable urban experience

 

In shopping streets across the country, an increasing number of properties are standing empty, causing entire neighbourhoods to lose their appeal and commercial value. Local authorities are facing complex regulations and a lack of viable concepts, which is halting structural repurposing. The result is a glaring underutilisation of space and employment, while urban potential remains untapped.

Neglected streetscape

Many shop premises have been empty for years or are only partially used, resulting in the row of façades looking dull and neglected.

A large proportion of retail properties is long-term vacant or has a marginal use. This undermines not only the aesthetics of the street but also the safety, attractiveness, and property value of the entire shopping street.

This scares away both passengers and potential tenants, creating a vicious circle of even more vacancy. This unfriendly space hinders both social interaction and economic activity.


Economic stagnation

 Districts are struggling with structural repurposing and

viable utilisation. What causes underutilisation of space & loss of local employment.

Few passers-by reinforce the feeling that "there's nothing happening", which drives people further towards the large shopping centres outside the neighbourhood.

The district is therefore missing out on tax revenues, while the property value of the entire area is under pressure. Without intervention, there is a risk of a prolonged downward spiral in which talent, capital, and purchasing power are lost.

Poor mobility

  Pedestrians often have to manoeuvre between parked cars or over the tram tracks, which feels particularly unsafe for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Each shop now receives its deliveries separately. Large lorries stop on the road or double-park. For customers, this means noise, obstructions on the pavement, and an unsettled street scene.

The result: overcrowded lanes, an unreliable tram flow, and a street that does not align with contemporary sustainable mobility goals.

 

What BOS wants to achieve:

Een schaalbaar en digitaal ondersteund ecosysteem dat  bestaande panden herwaardeert via een plug&play model dat in meerdere winkelstraten kan worden ontwikkeld:
1

Attractiveness 

  • 400m of outlet stores of well-known brands at affordable prices
  • Aesthetic transformation of outdated shopping streets
  • A safe environment 
  • Offering a total experience through shopping, indoor play areas & parking
2

Strong neighbourhood economy

  • Complete utilisation & reuse of vacant properties
  • A mix of retail, hospitality, concept stores & local makerspaces
  • A boost in employment & entrepreneurship
3

Smart Mobility & Logistics

  • Logistics centre
  • Sustainable & ecological distribution transport
  • Safe pedestrian circulation
  • full digital support
Shopping experienceLogistics distribution centreFirst locations

Shopping experience

The BOS project aims to achieve urban revitalisation by creating meeting and exchange spaces, and promoting economic dynamism, while placing the neighborhood within a sustainable and innovative development strategy.

A mix of outlet stores, hospitality & concept stores

To address the enormous vacancy, a combination of outlet stores from well-known brands (including Ralph Lauren, Puma & Morgan), concept stores, restaurants, and cosy cafés will provide variety and a distinctive experience mix that attracts a constant flow of visitors, extends their stay, and revitalises the shopping street with activity.

Utopia & more parking space

To enhance visitor comfort, additional parking will be provided at the edge of the shopping area through the use of Park&Ride, allowing cars to be easily parked while keeping the heart of the shopping street pedestrian-friendly.

From there, families can walk to Utopia, the new educational indoor playground where children can actively play and which has a large car park. Thanks to this combination, the centre is both accessible and family-friendly, which demonstrably increases the length of stay and spending.

Aesthetic transformation

An addition of scaffolding wood facades, more greenery (shrubs, trees & plants) and a black/white aesthetic will create a modern, attractive & sustainable environment.


Logistics distribution centre

At the end of the shopping street, there is a logistics centre where large lorries unload their goods, away from the narrow shopping street. Behind it lies the Warehousing⁺ section: a place that buffers stock, processes returns, and can immediately upcycle or recycle overstock. From this depot, Baxi’s — electric cargo bikes and mini-vans — depart to supply the shops several times a day quietly, cleanly, and just-in-time.

During the same trips, they also deliver online orders or take return packages for local residents. This way, heavy lorries are removed from the street, the flow for pedestrians and trams improves, and CO₂ emissions decrease. The result is an efficient, quiet, and sustainable supply chain that benefits both retailers and visitors.

First locations

To begin with, we would like to start at 3 locations: in Merksem on the Bredabaan, in Boom & Ostend.

Check out our idea for the Bredabaan.

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