In collaboration with AWV, the City of Diest, and the consulting firm Arcadis, we are working on the redesign of the N29 in Schoonaerde. Due to the project’s history—characterized by a lack of participation and a long process—there was initially little trust among residents and entrepreneurs.

To better understand their concerns and questions, we conducted two days of on-site observations and street interviews. Using the insights gathered, we advised the project team and established a transparent process tailored to the various stakeholders.

We held personal interviews with property owners to inform them about the impact on their properties. For other residents and business owners, we organized small-scale interactive sessions to discuss the preliminary design and address any concerns. After incorporating the necessary adjustments, we presented the final design during three information markets.

These efforts led to a significant increase in understanding and trust among local residents and business owners, fostering a more collaborative atmosphere for the project.