Our prime objective was to consolidate the market activities and to provide a permanent character for the facility by constructing a new market building with an underground connection to the monument. For this purpose, we obtained subsidies from the Brussels Capital Region, in the context of their appeal for projects under the ERDF programme, the European Regional Development Fund.
Abatan 2020
Background
Our old market hall is considered as one of Kuregem's prime 19th-century monuments. The building is therefore listed and restoration works will commence shortly.
Due to everything that has been built around it over several centuries, the monument has become isolated; separated from the urban fabric by an area that is used three times a week for organising extremely popular, bustling markets. From an urban development perspective, Abatan currently occupies a large canal side site, facing away from the town. The Abatan 2020 Project intends to change this.
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From a suburban site to a new urban district
By bringing greater alignment between the existing activities, and by reinforcing the market function, we aim to create a new and attractive urban district. The slaughterhouse will remain, albeit in a more compact form, making it more suitable for integration into the overall project. This will enable it to operate optimally in co-existence with retailers and offices, and with residential, educational and cultural activities.