• The main aim of the European Stakeholders Multiplier Event was to share the results of the SIGWAY project and strengthen its sustainability. 

  • The final event consisted of a final conference and a cycling tour along a section of the greenway Aarschot – Herentals, of railway origin, and the Demer river. 

The European Stakeholders Multiplier Event was held on September 19th in the beautiful city of Aarschot (Belgium).

The main aim was to share the results of the SIGWAY project and strengthen its sustainability. Around thirty representatives from eight countries participated: Spain, Belgium, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Greece, Portugal, and Poland.

Conference

The final event consisted of a final conference, with presentations by partners giving an overview and results of the project. Particular reference was made to the pilot activities and recommendations for action to achieve more active greenways for sport and physical activity, targeting different types of stakeholders.

Presentations were made by SIGWAY partners, experts in management and promotion of greenways. Key stakeholders, such as Vías Verdes and Vía Verde de la Sierra (Spain), presented good practices for the promotion of greenways, emphasising on sport and physical activity.

This was followed by a dynamic round table involving project partners and the introduction of different projects underway or planned by stakeholders divided into three blocks:

  • The first was dedicated to pilot actions with the participation of the project partners,
  • the second devoted to interventions by the participating stakeholders, with presentations of their achievements and/or plans, followed by an open debate among all;
  • ending by a final block dedicated to the sustainability of the project.

A rich exchange between all participants followed in which the challenges during the project, and concrete actions proposals for its sustainability were also discussed. The difficulty of youth participation was raised as one of the main challenges. The result has been an enriching, dynamic, highly collaborative and participatory event, as well as very friendly , which clearly sets out the results, successful initiatives, initiatives underway by stakeholders and a debate on the continuity of the project, providing specific proposals to continue working on the subject.

Cycling tour in the afternoon

In the afternoon, a cycling tour took place, along a section of the greenway Aarschot – Herentals, of railway origin, and along the Demer river, to find out about the resources of the area. The sport activity allowed us to know the venue opportunities for sport and physical activity, and to greatly enjoy the ride, and give inspiration for the organisation of this kind of activities in other territories.

   

The route consisted of two linear sections (round trip): 1) Aarschot – Ramsel – Aarschot, and 2) continuation to Langdorp , and return to Aarschot train station to give back the bikes.  This proposed itinerary allowed us to:

  • Discover a greenway on the old railway track line 29 Aarschot-Herentals, and elements of railway heritage, which also partially runs through a territory with protected landscape: Merode. Further info here
  • Connection to sports facilities, close to the greenway that favour the non-motorized access.
  • Environmental aspects: green corridor and environmental awareness on the greenway itself.
  • Design aspects: e.g. obstacles to prevent the passage of cars on the greenway, easy to overcome.

Part 2

  • Get to know a greenway along the river -Demer valley; a non-motorized communication axis between urban centres; of special interest to some participants who promote greenways along rivers and canal towpaths.
  • Rest area and water sports facilities ( canoe-kayak )

In both cases it is also relevant:

  • Intermodality with rail: bike rental at the train station and parking
  • Clear and continuous signage.
  • Connection from the city: continuity, and signage

In addition to the enjoyment of the landscape and the activity, with opportunities to exchange!

Some explanatory stops was planned along the route, with the intervention of Kris Rockele (province of Antwerp). Participants were informed in detail about the activity in advance, so that they could decide whether to cycle or walk, but the activity was designed so that the majority of participants could do it and enjoy the experience.

The generation of the route thanks to the online application here and download formats is also a great example for other territories.

All participants enjoyed the visit very much and the weather was great. The route was used a lot by young people and students who use the bike for their daily commute, which was also an example for the participants, although it was necessary to pay more attention to the route due their big use.

 

Welcome reception by the Mayor of Aarschot, and member of the Flemish Parliament, Gwendolyn Rutte

The previous day, SIGWAY partners and stakeholders had a warm welcome reception by the Mayor of Aarschot, and member of the Flemish Parliament, Gwendolyn Rutte.  She invited the members to the roof of the Town Hall. The mayor gave a presentation of the town and territory of Aarschot and the plans for sports facilities and outdoor activities. SIGWAY partners had the opportunity to explain her about the Sport in greenways project and results; the mayor of Aarschot is very involved in promoting sport and outdoor activities in the municipality; namely everyday mobility

The introduction in the roof of the council town, was followed by a walking tour suitable for all stakeholders arrived at Aarschot, to discover the most characteristic places of the city and its surroundings, showing the possibilities of the site, thus complementing the cultural, natural and sport infrastructure resources with the proposal of physical and sport outdoor activities.

Overall, an enriching, very collaborative and friendly event, organised by EGWA with the cooperation of the project partners and stakeholders.

The project has been evaluated very positively by all participants, and the recommendations are very useful and cover a variety of examples of action for all types of stakeholders.

Venues & circular economy 

The venues for the various events and suppliers also supported the principles of the circular economy, one of the SIGWAY objectives. The Cultural Center, Het Gasthuis, where the conference and previous project meetings were held, was built in the second half of the 17th century, as new hospice of the Grey Sisters in 1655, ‘s Hertogenmolens Aarschot, water mill complex acting as an island in the river Demer since the 16th century, was transformed in hotel were the team overnighted, and reachable by train without  walking distance; and the bikes were rented from an organisation that rents second-hand bikes for students, and support for training people in difficult situations, that take account of the Social veil and employment. https://velo.be/mensen/ 

   

We would like to thank SIGWAY project partners and all stakeholders participating in Arschot event, and in particular the EGWA members who travelled to share their experiences and thus contribute to the success of the event: Antwerp provincie  Fundación de los Ferrocarriles Españoles, Vía verde de la Sierra, Chemins du Rail, Gal Delta Po, and Sanok Connects Us  Association / Stowarzyszenie Łączy Nas Sanok, and all participants for their active involvement.

Mercedes Muñoz Zamora
European Greenways Association, Director
8/October/2024

Location: Aarschot (Belgium)