Interview with Philippe De Backer (Kempens Landschap)
Philippe De Backer is director of Kempens Landschap. An organisation that has been working for 25 years to preserve and upgrade valuable landscapes in the province of Antwerp. They always do this in cooperation with the local authorities. We asked Philippe some questions about how Kempens Landschap works and about the domains you can discover as a visitor in the area of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide.
What exactly does Kempens Landschap do?
"Kempens Landschap is a landscape organisation operating in the province of Antwerp. The organisation was started 25 years ago with the main objective of securing landscape through acquisition.
The association originated with the project on colonies in the Noorderkempen. Together with many partners, Kempens Landschap succeeded in preserving Wortel and Merksplas Colony in community hands. This area was a landscape avant la lettre because of the presence of huge drives, heathland, agriculture, houses and protected monuments. This pilot project meant that we were exposed to all facets and were able to take this expertise to other files.
Over the years, the operation has expanded its objectives by also focusing on providing expertise and advice to municipal authorities. For example, Kempens Landschap offers support to heritage restoration projects, such as Ravenhof Castle in Stabroek.
Today Kempens Landschap is committed to 4 major pillars: attention to nature, attention to open space/agriculture, attention to heritage and finally opening up through soft recreation."
What does a valuable landscape meet?
"The definition of a valuable landscape has grown very organically. Internally, there are no strict criteria that a landscape must meet, but there are some important conditions. Firstly, there must be support from local municipalities. Upon acquisition, the municipality contributes part of the acquisition cost.
There are also conditions with regard to buildings. The building must be part of a larger whole, a landscape, and an economic redevelopment must be pursued, so that a new (financial) future perspective can be offered in return. The success rate of restoration grants for buildings, among other things, should be rated high.
It also always remains a bit of gut feeling to follow and see, together with the municipal administration, whether there is enough commitment to put shoulders to the project."
Which domains in Kempens Landschap's management can play a role in the story of the National Park?
"Kempens Landschap has a number of domains in its portfolio that already contribute a lot to the bigger story of the National Park.
- Essen is home to the park of the Redemptorist fathers with accompanying monastery and chapel, which is currently facing a challenge to find a final reuse.
- The former customs warehouse in Essen is home to Robotland, an interactive education park that could be an important site for attracting children and young people to the area.
- Stabroek is home to Ravenhof Castle, which is protected as a valuable heritage site and is surrounded by parkland and forest.
- Between Fort Kapellen and Fort Brasschaat is the military railway line on which you can ride rail bikes. The forts are nearby and the railway crosses a German bunker line and the famous anti-tank ditch. Track cycling is an experience that tells the military story in the middle of a beautiful nature reserve.
Photo: railway cycling between Fort Kapellen and Fort Brasschaat
Who knows, maybe there will be opportunities in the future. You can't plan purchases in advance. We are always alert to potential purchase opportunities. Sites in the National Park region are bound to come up in the coming years that can contribute to a good spread of visitors and to the broad story."
What do you think is the added value of a National Park?
"The file can bring positivity by making people aware of the characteristics of the region. Thanks to my position, I have been to the most beautiful places that were not (yet) known to me before. I think we undervalue our own landscape, which should not be the case. With a National Park, we could carry the qualities of the landscape in the greater region even more outwardly and thus create awareness around the 4 pillars we should cherish.
The important thing is that together with all actors we pursue the same goal: an upgrading of the landscape in the broadest sense, not only for this generation but also for future generations."
More info on Kempens Landschap can be found at www.kempenslandschap.be.