Herentals is the historic capital of the Kempen, located between the valley of the Kleine Nete and the Kempense Heuvelrug in the north and the infrastructure bundles of the Albert Canal and the E313 in the south. It is a city with a rich association life, valuable heritage and quick access to greenery. Innovation, craftsmanship, cooperation and openness are the order of the day here.

Herentals is working on a flourishing centre, in which the city artery Augustijnenlaan – Belgiëlaan – Olympiadelaan (ABO axis) transforms from an oversized, banal traffic axis into a green and accessible boulevard. The ABO axis is a carrier in the urban fabric with a rich history. Today, however, this subdued speed is all about the car. The axis is an important structure within the city, but at the same time forms a break in the urban fabric. The ABO axis can evolve into a model of sustainable urban development: as a public space, but also through the urban (green) developments along the axis.

Prior to the master plan, a concept study was developed, a broad reflection on the ABO axis and Herentals. It was investigated how the axis can be used to tackle various climate challenges (water management, green-blue alignment, renewable energy, modal shift, etc.) and to drive a transformation of the city at different scales.

Herentals is the historic capital of the Kempen, located between the valley of the Kleine Nete and the Kempense Heuvelrug in the north and the infrastructure bundles of the Albert Canal and the E313 in the south. It is a city with a rich association life, valuable heritage and quick access to greenery. Innovation, craftsmanship, cooperation and openness are the order of the day here.

Herentals is working on a flourishing centre, in which the city artery Augustijnenlaan – Belgiëlaan – Olympiadelaan (ABO axis) transforms from an oversized, banal traffic axis into a green and accessible boulevard. The ABO axis is a carrier in the urban fabric with a rich history. Today, however, this subdued speed is all about the car. The axis is an important structure within the city, but at the same time forms a break in the urban fabric. The ABO axis can evolve into a model of sustainable urban development: as a public space, but also through the urban (green) developments along the axis.

Prior to the master plan, a concept study was developed, a broad reflection on the ABO axis and Herentals. It was investigated how the axis can be used to tackle various climate challenges (water management, green-blue alignment, renewable energy, modal shift, etc.) and to drive a transformation of the city at different scales.