OUDENAARDE, GROWING GREEN CITY.

ENTENTE FLORALE EUROPE 2019 , growing green city!

Planning and development 04

Sustainable environment 06

Built environment 08

Landscape 10

Green spaces 12

Planting 14

Environmental education 16

Effort and involvement 18

Tourism and leisure 20

Communication 22 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

WELCOME TO OUDENAARDE

Oudenaarde combines the best of two worlds: the charm of a relatively small but cosy historical town on the banks of the river but yet providing all the facilities you encounter in a much bigger town. The town is easy to get to by car, bike or public transport (frequent and direct connection to , and ). This way Oudenaarde is a perfect starting point to visit these larger cities. Situated in the valley of the Scheldt the town is surrounded by the hills and hillocks which constitute The Flemish . The combination of the green district – ‘’ Most Beautiful Landscape’– with its rich art-historical past and patrimony, with its authentic area and buildings transforms Oudenaarde into a magnet for tourists and sightseers. All sights are within walking distance (2,2 km) from the centre.

Recently, new projects to renew the town scape have been laid out, such as the reconstruction of the quays and banks along the Scheldt, the new Scheldekop, a peninsular in the Scheldt, the new layout of the town park and the market place. This market, of old the beating heart of the town, is now the place to be for a chat, over a glass of beer or with a good meal. Traffic has been drastically reduced and with the new plantation the function of the square is now revalued. With its famous cobbled green hills and hillocks Oudenaarde is also the background of The , especially since the finishing line of this world famous cycle race has been drawn near the town centre.

Oudenaarde has proved to be a surprisingly interesting and charming town to visit or to stay at.

So, why wouldn’t you come?

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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Every town in an urban area is an important factor for the quality of living and working of its inhabitants. Within the boundaries of the town the local authorities aim to concentrate the urban structures in order to safeguard the countryside, keeping out those new developments that might harm the natural beauty of the landscape. After all, Oudenaarde is part of The , one of the most traditional landscape in Flanders. The hills and hillocks, the woods of beech, the cobbled tracks, woods with wells, listed churches and protected rural area are typical of our region. The town and country planning concentrates on the preservation and strengthening of these environmental structures.

POLICY IN SPATIAL pedestrians and cyclists; by giving landscape, water, mobility and AND ECOLOGICAL the town centre new plantings, life circular economy. Different target STRUCTURES in town has become an attractive groups such as citizens, owners and But in contrast to this, inside the place to live in, to work or to join the public body have been consulted municipal boundaries the focus of social life. And this is realized with through bilateral consultation, the town policy is on concentrating the participation of the citizens. project conferences and holding the urban structures: this implies companies. the compact building of higher The railwaystation square and premises but at the same time the SOME EXAMPLES OF surroundings are equally being creation or development of green THIS POLICY renewed according to this princple: area, but only if the added value is A nice example of this is the new if the local residents want more socially acceptable. This way the site built on the left bank of green and less concrete, they will town will get more public open the Scheldt. This area of 200 ha, get it ! space, more light and more air. bordering the town centre is cut A third example of town develop- Projects to construct ‘slow connec- through by the Scheldt. Inside this ment projects and participation of tions’ (such as cycling freeways), area are two old and abandoned the citizens is the reconversion of sports and leisure centres, offering factories, the town sports centre, the Saffre Frères site. car-sharing are now being realized, a brickyard and marshland that is On the old and abandoned factory which will not put a burden on partially exploited by the brickyard. premises a new residential area the ecological and environmental This area has recently got a new and is built respecting the special context of town life. lively function. ecological character of the sur- If the car is king in Flanders, the The town has also made a rounding: cars should give way to cyclist in Oudenaarde will be partnership with the Provincial pedestrians; 265 families will live in Emperor: actually, Oudenaarde is Government of East-Flanders. Both this green setting. The economical the bike-rider’s heaven on earth authorities are working together in destination of one of the old factory (but sometimes it is hellishly hard a masterplan to finally implement remnants was chosen by employers to ride uphill !). or realize this plan taking special and citizens. And a small wood was This way, the local authorities try care of the ecological aspects. This laid out that will bring biodiversity to enhance the quality of life of cooperation is based on 4 pillars: within the urban setting.

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OUDENAARDE, MOTOR has a high degree of employment. housing shortage was ordered. With OF THE ECONOMY OF The town provides 14,000 jobs the results of both studies the local THE REGION and in doing so it is an important government has a good survey of the Enterprising is a point of special employer in the region. dynamics of the spatial challenges interest in the town and country To consolidate this economical for the years to come, allowing them planning in Oudenaarde. position and if possible to strengthen to use objective data to delineate a Oudenaarde is well equipped with it the municipal authorities had a correct sustainable develoment and schools, hospital, law court, admin- detailed study made in December environmental planning. istration offices and consequently 2018; at the same time, a study of the

Masterplan Scheldt banks and Scheldekop

Entente Florale Europe 2019 05 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

In 2015 Oudenaarde signed the Mayor’s Convention promising to reduce the CO2 emission by 20 % by 2020. A climate plan was drawn up to further rational use of energy and more specifically renewable energy.

SUSTAINABLE sumption of expensive drinking extinguishing the lights at 23 p.m. PATRIMONY water. systematically. The local authorities aim to realize Other projects built with respect energy low or energy neutral build- to sustainable development are a. ings on the one hand and to o. the new sports hall, (replacing OUDENAARDE, maximize the historical value of the older one), the new indoor SUSTAINABLE TOWN this patrimony and the modern swimming pool, the renovation of But a climate plan must not only conveniences inside the buildings. the old assisted living complex into involve the municipal offices and From the first drafts a multi- Sociaal Huis, the building of 2 new services, but should also involve disciplinary team of experts is assisted living centres and the new citizens, clubs and companies. engaged to check the achievement fire station. In 2017 Oudenaarde received the of the sustainable objectives. financial support of the EFRO, A nice example of this is the newly the European Fund for Regional built Town Academy of Music and PUBLIC LIGHTING AND Development for its energy Word. ILLUMINATION coaching project ZOVER. Enter- Summer heat is held off by special Because public lighting and prises in Oudenaarde, window panes and awning; in illumination cost a lot of energy the and were coached free winter the cold is kept away by municipal authorities reduce this of charge by the implementation insulation (K-level 27). Cost of cost by investing ± 400.000 € every of energy saving measures. This electricity and drinking-water are year in the replacement of light bulbs project ended 30 th of April 2019 and decreased by using led-lights, solar into LEDs, by only illuminating was succesful with 45 enterprises, panels and collectors; flush toilets important traffic situations (cross- 20 of which were situated in using rainwater reduce the con- roads and residential areas), and by Oudenaarde.

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To reduce the energy need of important factor. 83,15 % of the waste illegal dumping of waste. This households the focus is mainly water is purified in Oudenaarde, coaching project has 5 pillars: on sustainable construction. The which is one of the best results in the infrastructure, environment, par- town offers free building advice, Flemish Ardennes. Between 2014-19 ticipation, sensitization, communi- premiums to install sustainable almost a million € was invested in cation and finally maintenance. energy-systems and took over the sewer systems. The town has its own team of interest charges for inhabitants who Apart from this, the town also workers to clean the streets; they contracted an energy loan. pursues an active policy in the are helped by a group of voluntary A financial grant is given to clubs application of rain and precipitation: workers and of ‘ploggers’, (quite and societies taking part in climate two buffer zones were created to unique in Flanders) collecting litter projects. relieve areas prone to flooding; while jogging. Because the quality of air is impor- furthermore, a team of architects The control of weeds and pests is tant for all life the local government and engineers found solutions to effected by hotwater- weedbrushers cannot simply be on the sidelines. lead the precipitation back to the and trimmers; pesticides are no Together with Kampenhout, aquifer by means of large greenbelts longer applied in the town’s gardens Schoten, Sint-Niklaas and Dilbeek, and by using tiles letting through or park. Oudenaarde sent in a project rain water. This will reduce the Soil erosion is a problem in City of Things of the Agency of paved surface from 97 % to 40% , e.g. Flanders: in hilly regions the Innovation and Enterprise. Its in Saint-Joseph square. draining away of the soil by the rain aim is to acquire the know-how Waste is subject to the diftar- must be prevented to preserve the about establishing a net of sensors system: the polluter pays. Flanders precious fertile soil. to monitor the measurement of has quite a reputation in Europe in Because of the hills in Flanders, the air quality and to record the the collection of separated waste. especially loamy and sandy soils fall requirements concerning hardware Refuse remaining after separation victim to erosion. These soils were and software. This will facilitate of recyclable elements is collected listed in an plan countering erosion the communication of these results in containers and is weighed; only in 2005. Since 2006 Oudenaarde to the inhabitants. The project bulky refuse, timber and hard cooperates with an office of the started 9th of December 2018 and plastic waste brought to the waste Province of East-Flanders, which was coordinated by the Vlaamse container park must be paid for advises farmers how to prevent Milieumaatschappij (the Flemish at a low charge in order not to and restrict erosion by carrying out Environmental Organisation) and discourage people from coming to adequate operations on the field. received a grant from the VLAIO the container park. (the Flemish Agency for Innovation In 2018 Oudenaarde was selected by and Enterprise). the to tackle The use of water is another the problem of street litter and

3 1. Town Academy of Music and Word 2. Public lighting with LEDs 3. Erosion control in the Flemish Ardennes

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT

A town is pleasant to live in if there are nice places where people can meet: a snug pub, an outdoor café or pub, attractive shops, a lively square, an interesting passageway… Building this pleasant atmosphere to improve the quality of living of its inhabitants, tourists and entrepreneurs is exactly what Oudenaarde is striving for.

Oudenaarde is a historical town collegiate church Saint-Walburgis stimulated the building of public that received its town privilege as and Our Lady’s Church (1234) at housing, together with a new hotel early as 1189. Pamele in Scheldt Gothic style Leopold (65 rooms). Today Oudenaarde is a modern attract thousands of tourists every Both places, Droesbeke and Ham town brimming with energy but it year. have been brightened up with still fosters its medieaval aspect in The market square is the place to smaller squares, gangways, green its network of streets and in lots of be. Two years ago the municipal areas and public works of arts, eye-catching monuments. authorities had it reconstructed which enliven this part of the town. In the town centre the town square into a new meeting place, laid out De Scheldekop is still being with the famous town hall in in French stone, the colour of which developed. Oudenaarde was the late Gothic style (1526-1537) and grades nicely into the white shades first to be nominated for a project its magnificent belfry, listed as of the town hall. concerning town planning of the UNESCO world heritage deserves A new lighting system for the square Flemish Government. Oudenaarde particular notice. and the surrounding streets was received a three million Euro The medieval clothmakers’ hall at drawn up and put into operation. grant. The first fase (the building the back of the town hall was built Three municipal projects in of residences) is finished and the in 1330. the town’s heart and on walking houses are lived in meanwhile; In it you can admire the late medieval distance from the town square were the second phase (the building of roof-trusses and the most important set up. the shell) of other dwellings has works of art from Oudenaarde: the Droesbeke closed the gap between started; the third phase is now wonderful tapestries. the buildings at this side of the being planned. This building Oudenaarde is proud of its more market place; the site of the Tour project generated millions of Euro than 100 protected monuments of Flanders Centre is a modern by private investment in the built- –only Ghent has more in our realization of bringing together on section of this area. province- of which a great part luxury flats and the museum New building projects inside the belongs to the religious heritage: of the Tour of Flanders; Ham historical town centre are first old monasteries and nunneries, the in the neighbourhood links the examined and eventually adjusted Hospital, the Black Nun’s Convent densely built on market square before the building application can and unique Gothic churches: the and residential tourism: the town be sent in.

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This way the old town merges well with the new urban developments in the town centre which transforms the town into an amazingly new complex. And perhaps works of art can consolidate this experience. In 2016 the town project Scaldis exhibited several new sculptures along the renewed banks of the river Scheldt; performances and shows by local clubs enlivened this event. In a modern town, art as part of the streetscape is as important as trees in the landscape. Modern sculptures by renowned 3 artists (such as Johan Tahon, Kris Martin, Philippe J. Tonnard, Myriam Eykens, Peter Bijls and Jul Vuylsteke) lend style to the site where they are shown.

1. Town square with town hall 2. Cyclists near the banks of the river Scheldt 3. Modern sculpture by artist Johan Tahon

Entente Florale Europe 2019 09 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

LANDSCAPE

Characteristic of the Flemish Ardennes is a fragmented landscape with fields, green woods, meadows and pastures but above all: the valley of the river Scheldt and the hills and hillocks. In this region Oudenaarde is the magnetic coil attracting and bringing about new developments.

WOODS comply! Together with a part of the Heurnemeersen. Perhaps the otter The old forests around Oude- Natuurpuntforest Volkegembos will reappear soon in our region. naarde (, will be extended to 30 ha. and along the banks of the Scheldt One problem is the appearance of between Volkegem and Eine) show exotic species such as Heracleum OPEN FIELDS a diversity of trees and flowers. mantegazzzianum and Myiophyllum Leaving the Scheldt we meet quite The bluebell (wild hyacint) is not aquaticum, but both are being a different landscape: large, open found everywhere in Europe, but eradicated. treeless fields on the ridge of the the Flemish Ardennes host tens of hill and cut through by brooks. hectares of these age-old flowers, Lots of fountain-heads are found which is quite unique. THE VALLEY OF THE there and that is why the oldest Legal protection and adequate RIVER SCHELDT farmhouses were built near these forest management resulted in the Until the 1960’s the banks of the wells. natural expansion of Koppenberg- Scheldt and the adjoining pastures bos (80 ha) and ’t Bos ’t were flooded in winter; every year (200 ha) and in the reappearance a fine layer of clay was deposited OLD TREES, OLD of roe deer and the stone marten. in the depth of the valley, resulting BENCHMARKS ’t Bos ’t Ename was listed among in the formation of heavy clay soil, Some old trees are historical GENO (Great Unit of Nature in which is until now the reason of benchmarks in the landscape. Development) existence of the brick industry along Only some of these old trees have The forest Volkegembos is now the Scheldt. In the years 1950-60 the survived: the Saint-Hilary lime afforested on the loamy soils of course of the river was straightened tree in Mullem and the rows of a former loam exploitation. This out; cut off meanders changed into planes surrounding Ename square. municipal forest suits the directives pools without function, except for These trees reappear in the name of the habitat area (SBZ-H) Forests nature, yielding new plant and of streets, such as the ‘Lindestraat’ of the Flemish Ardennes and forests animal life: aspen, cuckooflower (Limestreet). Interesting articles in the south of East-Flandern. Now and the marsh-marigold; special were published about these trees by 11 ha have been afforested; part of it butterflies, dragonflies, some kind the town’s keeper of the archives. is a ‘birthday wood’: young parents of trout and even the beaver can are invited to plant a tree for their be spotted there and in the wildlife child in this forest and most of them sanctuaries of Langemeersen and

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1. Winter landscape of the Flemish Ardennes 2. Tree as a historical benchmark in the landscape 3. Bluebells 4 & 5. Koppenbergbos

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Entente Florale Europe 2019 11 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

GREEN SPACES

The planning and realization of green and open spaces in a town contributes to no small extent to the citizens’ feeling of well-being. Yet, stringent rules laid down by the Government regulate green areas, from the planting , the maintenance and eventually the eradication of green elements. Maintenance should be free of the use of pesticides, the choice of plants must be in harmony with the surroundings and should respect the biodiversity, the life of the bees and the climatological restrictions. So, grass meadows are now being converted into flower meadows by using wild flowerbulbs or by sowing; mowing and trimming in phases will improve the biodiversity.

THE LIEDTSPARK WITH centre are quite unique and can be prevent building contractors laying ALLOTMENT GARDENS walked through across a central claim on these grounds and in Oudenaarde has a lot of green areas: pathway. doing so preserved these valuable a town park, allotment gardens, an Both the park, the castle and marshlands. educational centre about nature the gardens have been listed as On the other side of the Scheldt, and a nature reserve. protected areas. nearer to the town centre we find Liedtspark of 6 ha with allotment Meerspoort South, an area of gardens is the green lung in the 5 ha which also holds a meander heart of the town. NATURE IN AND AROUND from the Scheldt. Formerly, this This park was laid out as an English TOWN arm of the Scheldt ran deep into the landscape park with foothpaths, The municipal authorities have town centre. sports facilities, a pond with invested for years and years to Along the railway is yet another fountain, large greens, bowers, an safeguard, to develop and to open green zone: Vestingen (3 ha), a icehouse and hundreds of standard the green space to the public. remnant of the old ramparts of trees. It was originally a private The town has its own team of great cultural and historical value. garden with a nice pavillion going environmental workers who clean In another part of the town, near back to the end of the 19th century. up and keep all plants, flowers, Pamele, the town bought the garden And recently a ravelin was shrubs and trees in top condition. of the former nunnery, The Black reconstructed with a subsidy from Certainly worth mentioning is the Sisters Convent; this is a second EFRO, the European Fund for educational centre ’t Spei, (a kind island of calm and greenery in town. Regional Development; it is the of weir originally) situated at the Cemetries have quite a similar only remnant of the ramparts of town’s edge and enclosed by two function. Oudenaarde has 16 Oudenaarde. This monument of old meanders of the Scheldt. The graveyards, forming together 20 earth was erected according to educative area comprises a 3 ha ha. The graveyard of Volkegem was plans of 1819-1829 as part of the broad-leaved forest, an instructive rebuilt (soil erosion was stopped Wellington barrier. It is the only path through the trees and shrubs, and new plants and paths were set remaining one out of 5 planned ponds, greens and tangled growth. up) in a Leaderproject, for which a ravelins, built on the groundwork of Recently the total area of this EFRO (European Fund for Regional an older bulwark and bastions. green space was extended to 10 Development) grant was obtained. The allotment gardens in the town ha. Buying plots the town could

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SPORTS AND its way through the paving stones, tainly intensify the perception of RECREATION made of grass. the green zone and make playing a The new sports centre has been The Finish jogging track (1.4 km), sport even more attractive. completely renovated and the site the new indoor swimming pool It is now a healthy meeting place transformed into a green neigh- Sport Oase and the new sports for young an old, athletes, sports bourhood for young and old; this centre, Rode Los with its modern enthousiasts and even unathletic site is part of the Masterplan of the infrastructure and the newly people. left bank of the Scheldt. Even the laid out cycle paths, a skatepark, parking lot is green: the rain works flowergrounds, lawns, … will cer-

1 2 3 1. Sports and recreation sites` 2, 3 & 4. Liedtspark 5. Allotment gardens

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PLANTING – PERMANENT / SEASONAL

Apart from the green elements belonging to the historical scenery, Oudenaarde can boast of a vast green area (130 ha), comprising 4800 trees, 3 ha of shrubs, 8 km of hedgerows, 48 ha of lawn and 1100 m2 of roses, spread about in town and in the formerly independent . A dozen of local government employees, helped by workers from garden contractors look after trees, shrubs and flowers.

Last year 230 standard trees were chosen. In 1999 Oudenaarde was water is lost through evaporation or planted; most of them were of the first town using the Garsy- irrigation. local origin, but in town, foreign flower towers on the occasion of In order to counter the diminishing and preformed trees are chosen, the first participation in Entente biodiversity and the number of because these trees can be pruned Florale Europe. The flower tubs bees and bumblebees hundreds of complementary to the architectural (300 m long!) with the colour of square metres have been sown with surrounding. Pelargonium peltatum along the flowers; 6530 plants attractive to Every year Oudenaarde is banks of the Scheldt are equally bees (Geranium pratense, Knautia transformed into a sea of colourful surprising. Since 2015 the water of macedonia, Campanula grandiflora, flowers. the Scheldt is used to water these Leucantheum vulgare, Silene dioica, Hundred of thousands daffodils flowers. Centaurea cyanus and Papaver greet the tourists in spring; 25.000 To minimize the cost of labour dubium) were planted. annual flowers are planted in flower (by almost 50 %!) by reducing Finally, techniques (frgamented towers (36) in flat flower containers the frequency and the volume swing mowing) to control (50), in flower tubs (460) and in the of irrigation a hydro absorbing roadside flora also help restore the ground (725 m2). And every year a polymer is used; it was developed biodiversity. specific colour for these flowers is by Terra Cottem. This way no

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Entente Florale Europe 2019 15 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Building a green and climate friendly town where living is easy and cosy is not the task of the local government alone. All inhabitants, enterprises, schools and clubs must be involved, too.

’t SPEI (an old word The town added the same amount A nice example of this is the for some kind of weir), of money which allowed them to peregrine falcon project. A pair EDUCATIONAL CENTRE build a small classroom near their of these birds made their aerie in a FOR NATURE workplace. nestbox set up in the tower of the There are lots of primary schools in Saint Walburgis church, 6 years Oudenaarde and 2 large secondary in succession; the birth of the schools. REFUSE and LITTER young birds could be monitored Their pupils can enjoy environ- Pupils from primary and secondary by a webcam, but also live from mental and nature classes in their schools also visit the refuse the marketplace during the day by hometown. ’t Spei has a variety of containerpark; the group can binoculars. All citizen attending biotopes, trees, shrubs and flowers. ‘adopt’ a specific road and clear this moment received a ‘baby drink’ In 2018 during The Week of away all litter, which results in a and could make suggestion for the the Honeybee the ‘Hall of Bees’ financial reward offered by the name of the newly born stars of was ceremoniously opened in town’s environmental office; there, Oudenaarde. the orchard of standard trees in schools can also borrow educational ’t Spei. The pupils of the Secondary material. Schools or clubs, willing Technical School had built a to work on the theme of waste SMALLER EDUCATIONAL ‘hotel’ for solitary bees and other control during a (school)year, are PROJECTS insects. ’t Spei can be visited with a supported by a working group The archaeological site of professional bee-keeper. called Mooimakers (The Cleaners) Ename with the remnants of the underground walls of an abbey (beginning of the 17th century) HORTICULTURAL SCHOOL TOWN and CITIZENS still grows an historical vegetable IN LIEDTS PARK TOGETHER garden, laid out as it had originally There is also a horticultural school Diverse organisations of private been planned. in Oudenaarde; in the site of the persons joining hands take an active Every Thursday morning on the allotment gardens the pupils can part in the transformation of our market square there is a flower and till the soil in some plots or they system of living into a sustainable vegetable market; once a year 25 can cooperate with the municipal econmy, with more respect for renowned florists sell their young gardeners there. A 15.000 Euro grant nature. They all work together to plants; the stallholder having the was given for this Leaderproject. materialize plans. nicest stall is rewarded by the town.

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In May the white tiles of the market square are covered with thousands of flowers forming a nice and colourful carpet. Lots of the chores in the municipal garden provide an income for people in social employment. The non-profit organization Grijkoort 2 yearly spends more than 160.000 € to these less well-to-do workers. The Tiny Wood is the first of a very small ( like a tennis court) wood in the heart of the town; 25 (or more) endemic trees, planted in a fertile soil attract butterflies, birds, bees… and people. Only 10 years are needed to bring the biodiversity of such a ‘forest’ to the level of a hundred year old forest. It is located on the site of a former textile-plant but in the near future this ‘brownfieldsite’ will be an area with 265 new houses. In Oudenaarde nature is allowed to 1. ‘Hall of Bees’ invade the town centre! 2. Weekly flower market

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EFFORT AND INVOLVEMENT

There are lots of organizations and societies in Oudenaarde with people committing themselves in theatre, sports, social-cultural clubs, in setting up activities for senior citizens, and … for nature and the environment.

‘T BOS ’T ENAME the adjoining landscape, (together further commerce and mobility in The study group’ t Bos ’t Ename forming the core (185 ha) of ‘ the town centre in order to keep (Ename Wood) unites interested Hoofdstructuur Vlaanderen’ (Green Oudenaarde a safe and attractive people living in the neighbourhood: Main Structure Flanders). This town. Last year it promoted coming some 300 members/families forest is the subject of an exhaustive to town by bike, leaving the car contribute to preserve and historical-ecological study of forests at home: shopkeepers rewarded eventually to restore the old forest. and wild areas in Flanders. customers who did so! In 2017 the ‘24 hours of Oudenaarde’, a non-profit organisation that yearly organizes a 24 hour walk through HERITAGE DAYS PLOGGERS Oudenaarde donated 10,000 € Every year Oudenaarde participates Unique in Flanders and typical of to ’t Bos ’t Ename because of its in the Heritage Days, organized Oudenaarde is plogging: a group of ecological and social importance; throughout . That day ploggers pick up and gather litter 2,000 people were willing to take Oudenaarde shows its (hidden) while jogging. The word ‘ploggen’ part in this tiring event, making treasures to the public, free of is made from the Swedish ‘plocka money for ’t Bos ‘t Ename! charge. History, folklore, craft and upp’ (to pick up) and the English Every month members of the study trades, industry … and natural word ‘jogging’. Every month people, group convene to plan a workday, scenery is subject matter of this day, young and old, run through the organizing the maintenance of attended to by thousands of people. Oudenaarde territory and clean it this exceptional forest of 62 ha; up while jogging or walking. in winter chopping, felling and A nice effort and proof of the lopping is necessary; in summer SHOPPING TOWN involvement of the citizens of making hay. Guided walks are OUDENAARDE Oudenaarde in nature and ecology! frequently laid on through this The non-profit organization area of natural beauty and through Oudenaarde Winkelstad aims to

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1. Visiting the town center by bike 2. Plogging

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TOURISM AND LEISURE

OUDENAARDE, TOWN WITH LOTS OF BENEFITS The Citymarketplan clearly shows that the historical-cultural heritage, cycling and beer are the USPs (Unique Selling Propositions) or assets of Oudenaarde. This resulted in 3 tourist toppers: the MOU museum, the Tour of Flanders and the listing of the dark beer of Oudenaarde as a genuine Flemish product.

MOU in Oudenaarde. But this one day after the twin towns of Oudenaarde MOU, Museum of Oudenaarde, is race for professionals is not the (, , Hastings, Castel housed in the town hall and in the most important aspect, although Madamma, Bergen-op-Zoom) clothmakers’ hall, that goes back to ten thousand supporters dwell on Another site which is still in the 14th century; both buildings are the site of the Tour’s finishing line development is the recreationpark evidence of the glorious past of the and millions of people watch the at the Donk, an old word for a town . cycle race on tv the world all over. knoll in marshlands. There, the Tapestries and silver ware were the The day before the official tour town bought the former Kompas two trades that made the history 14,000 amateur cyclists (60 % of Camping site; in cooperation with and the wealth of Oudenaarde. which come from abroad) ride their building contractor Roompot in From the 15th to the 18th century own Tour of Flanders, making this spring 2020 one hundred houses tapestries were the most important the most important weekend for will be built in this holiday resort. export product of Flanders; the Oudenaarde. But almost every day, From spring to winter this ones from Oudenaarde can now be from spring to autumn groups of recreationpark of 40 ha is the site found across Western Europe. cycling fanatics ride their own Tour of holiday camps organized by In the MOU fifteen of these large of Flanders. The Outsider for lots of youths. original tapestries are shown; the Yet, it is much easier to experience The pond with cable-lift for water town has its own restoring workshop the feeling of riding a cobbled skiing make this stay a thrilling and and a school teaching how these track in the Museum of the Tour unforgettable but wet experience! were woven in old handlooms. of Flanders (Centrum Ronde Van The beach bar along the bank is an In three rooms you can admire the Vlaanderen, CRVV) or to watch excellent place to recover… silver ware, originally belonging to a film proving the importance of There is a small marina in the arm the family De Boever-Alligoridès, this Tour for Oudenaarde and the of the river Scheldt, at only 250 one of the largest collection in Flemish Ardennes. metres from the market square! If Flanders. you come to Oudenaarde across Another exposition in Oudenaarde the water, moor your pleasure-boat caught the eye of experts of URBAN DEVEVELOPMENT there and walk to the market square. paintings from the 16th century the Because these events attract large And have a glass of something quite world all over. In the autumn of crowds the town supported the typical of Oudenaarde. 2018 the paintings of the Flemish development of The Ham quarter, painter Adriaen Brouwer, born which made possible the building of in Oudenaarde, were brought to the new Leopold Hotel, a boon for LOVELY OLD DARK BEER Oudenaarde from museums in residential tourism. Brewing beer in Oudenaarde Europe and the USA. The new town project Scheldekop started in the 12th century, 51.692 tourists and experts visited aims to connect the town centre possibly because the springwater this unique exhibition. with the other interesting sites in and around Oudenaarde was of across the Scheldt, a. o. by building excellent quality. In the 19th century bridges for pedestrian and cyclists. Oudenaarde had become famous THE TOUR OF FLANDERS Very modern and luxurious blocks for its beer: the use of roasted and Since 2012 the finishing line of of flats are constructed on the site, caramelized malt produces the this world famous cycle race is where streets and squares are named special colour (dark brown) and

20 Entente Florale Europe 2019 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

taste. Fifty years ago there were 8 Oudenaarde was awarded the By now you have deserved a nice breweries in Oudenaarde; now there title of ‘Ambassador of Flanders’ treat: take a seat on the pavement of are still 4 making beer according to Cockaigne’ from 2012 to 2014 and in one of the pubs around the market traditional methods (although their 2015 the dark beer of Oudenaarde, place, have a nice glass of the Old tools are very modern): Roman, ‘Old Oudenaards Bruin’was listed as Dark Beer of Oudenaarde. Liefmans, Cnudde and ’t Smisje. a genuine Flemish product.

1. Tour of Flanders 4. Cycling in the Flemish Ardennes 2. Cyclists in front of Brewery Liefmans 5. Marina close to the city center 3. Watersports at the Donk lake 6. The Outsider near the Donk lake

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Entente Florale Europe 2019 21 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

COMMUNICATION

To the town council of Oudenaarde, taking part in Entente Florale Europe is not merely the starting point but the support of the town-project to promote Oudenaarde as a green and nice city to live in. The slogan Oudenaarde, groeiend groene stad (growing green town) is to draw the inhabitants’ attention to the miscellaneous possibilities and quality of all green areas in Oudenaarde..

As soon as the town’s participation will disperse more information by Taken together, all these steps will in Entente Florale Europe had their own networks. surely create and confirm the town’s officially been decided upon it was But the message should also appear image of a green and nice town to communicated to the local press in the streetscape. For this, out-of- live in, proving that Oudenaarde by means of press releases and by home channels were called in. The is indeed a groeiend groene stad a symbolical tree-planting act, the local council had the campaign (growing green town). latter demonstrating the link with logo put on their vehicles and this Entente Florale Europe. logo also appeared on the digital Furthermore we want to focus the advertising boards. attention on the numerous efforts To prepare the jury’s visit, a made by the local authorities promofilm was made showing the concerning public green and green and sustainable projects in sustainable environment. To this Oudenaarde. This film was also end, the paper “Oudenaarde, posted on the municipal website groeiend groene stad” (printed and on social media. on recycled paper) was edited and distributed door-to-door to all inhabitants by bicycle couriers and also sent to the local press. In addition to this, more information with visual material and background info about these different green and sustainable projects can be found on the municipal website. Oudenaarde, groeiend groene stad is furthermore elaborated upon in the municipal digital Newsletter, in the Info Magazine, in the town’s newsletter in the local press and on various social media. Ambassadors, such as Milieufront Omer Wattez, Natuurpunt, Milieu- raad (the town’s environmental office) have been approached and

22 Entente Florale Europe 2019 Oudenaarde, growing green city!

Entente Florale Europe 2019