During an initial study conducted in 2007, we established principles of landscape development appropriate to Kortrijk's scale that would allow for the reclaiming of the Lys riverbanks. The river arranges the heart of the medieval city into two distinct entities: Buda island and an historical neighborhood to the south. The architecture and urban fabric make up a remarkable and compact heritage, though little suited to the various means of transportation. As a result, since the 1970s traffic lanes and parking areas have lined and obstructed the quays.

Today the quay redevelopment project is an opportunity for the city's inhabitants to reinvest in the riverbanks and to reclaim the space of the river. A unique public space on both sides of the Lys creates a  landscape connecting the island with the medieval center of the city. This transformation begins with a play of topography and vis-à-vis, breaking with the simply linear approach of the quays.

Each of the new quays is made up of two levels. On the upper level, they are equipped with terraces and traffic lane space for soft modes of public transportation (buses). The plane trees previously planted here are replaced by trees with more transparent foliage in order to maintain dialogue between the area and the historical urban facades surrounding. A blue bouchard granite surface replaces the asphalt of the parking lots. The sober mineral treatment physically unifies the riverbank ground area, leveling out what was an uneven topography. During construction work, stones from the ancient retaining walls were uncovered and reused in the building of the steps and the long low walls. A vast set of stairs leads down towards the riverbank. At the water’s edge, wide lower quays face each other across the river, creating a calm and inviting setting.

On the edge of the quays, the soil of the city seems to have found a natural geography.