No, the industrial site will increase the ecological value of the H. polder. Simply by creating a corridor with verges along the ring road (R1) the H. polder will be connected to other natural areas along this ring road. The H. polder will then no longer be an isolated green island. To maximise this connecting function, the new road will be diverted via a bridge over the corridor. This is to avoid interfering with the movement of fauna as much as possible.

A green corridor of 14.5 hectares and wadis of approximately 4 hectares will be established. This corridor and the wadis will be planted with local greenery. Conservation association Natuurpunt was involved closely with the design of the corridor and the wadis. Maintenance and management of the corridor and wadis will be done by or in consultation with Natuurpunt.

A transition zone of 30 metres wide will exist between the Hoboken polder and the industrial sites as provided for in the GRUP (Regional Spatial Implementation Plan). Naftaweg will eventually disappear and will be replaced by a cycle path (‘fiets-o-strade’). Only R&D companies will be located along the H. polder. The zone for manufacturing companies lies behind this R&D zone (seen from the H. polder). This sequence of a transition zone, a zone for R&D companies and a manufacturing zone is to limit any impact on the fauna and flora to a minimum.

Blue Gate Antwerp is serious about biodiversity.

The greenery (spontaneous growth) in the corridor, the wadis and around the R&D companies must be planted and maintained in alignment with the H. polder. This biodiversity will also contribute to the natural value of the H. polder.

The hydrological approach as a whole has a dual purpose: on the one hand to reduce flooding in Kiel, Polderstad and the industrial site and on the other hand to strengthen the water-rich ecology in the H. polder. The installation of wadis and water buffers in the corridor will thus also contribute to the environmental value of the natural area.