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Left: University of Luxembourg's Maison du Savoir, which accepted its first students in 2015. The red building to the right is RBC-Dexia, Dexia was once of Belval's first investors taking up residence in 2006.Photo: Mike Zenari 

“We are happy to see that our plans and concepts work, that Belval lives as a new city quarter and is accepted by its inhabitants and users. We are incredibly happy to see that, not only is the demand for office and service space increasing, but also for living space. More and more people are discovering Belval as their “place to be”, says Vincent Delwiche, general manager of Agora and Robert Kocian, director of marketing and development, as they take a moment to reflect on the last 18 years’ work.

“Okay, we are a little proud to be one of the first, and at that time the largest, development projects in Europe to receive the DGNB pre-certificate in gold in 2011,” they admit eventually. In giving this award, the German Society for Sustainable Development recognises the sustainable overall concept of a new city district: the quality of the traffic systems, the connection to existing city districts, the reduction of pollutant emissions and energy costs, as well as the diversity of use. “This means that one of the largest independent certification bodies in Europe has honoured Agora’s commitment, our know-how and the quality of our work with one of the highest awards.”

But it is not all down to Agora, they insist. “The success of a new urban quarter is not only the product of an urban development company like Agora, it is also the product of good urban developers, architects, engineers and marketing experts. A neighbourhood always lives and functions with and through its residents, through the acceptance and "self-appropriation" of its users. Here we are happy and grateful for the more than 12,000 users of Belval--2,400 residents, 5,000 employees, around 5,000 pupils, students and researchers.”

The key milestones?

  • 2000 - The state of Luxembourg and the Arbed steel group (now ArcelorMittal) set up the Agora development company together. They are to plan and build a modern, a lively city quarter on the decommissioned Belval industrial site.
  • 2001 - Together with the ministry of the interior, Agora launches an urban development competition for the construction of a master plan as the foundation for all further development of the new city quarter. It is won by Jo Coenen & Co. of Maastricht (now represented by the Mars offices) and the landscape designers Lubber of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (now represented by the Elyps offices).
  • 2002 - Steel Works Festival with over 10,000 visitors, Belval becomes accessible to the general public again for the first time.
  • 2005 – Inauguration of the Rockhal 2006 – Opening of the Dexia-Building (now BIL)--the first private Investor. 
  • 2008 - Opening of Belvalplaza I, the multifunction centre with apartments, a shopping mall, cafés, restaurants and a multiplex cinema with 1,500 seats.
  • 2009 – Inauguration of Belval Nord--The first residents move into their new homes in Belval Nord.
  • 2010 – Inauguration of the new train station “Belval University”. 
  • 2011 - Inauguration of the first building of the new university campus, the “House of Biomedicine".
  • 2012 - The Technoport business centre moves into its new premises in what used to be the steelworkers' changing rooms. The state's new, 60-metre high, 12-storey administrative building is completed at the end of this year.
  • 2014 - Following extensive conservation work in recent years, the blast furnace system at Belval once again shines in a new light. First blast furnace festival. 
  • 2015 - The new Park Belval "Park Um Belval" was opened with a big celebration. In September it's finally time for the first university semester on the new Campus Belval. Uni-Val 1, the first student residence, opens its doors at the same time.
  • 2016 - In December, after a 10-year construction period, the 735-metre tunnel under Belval is opened to traffic. It is the main part of the new construction section of the Liaison Micheville, the new arterial road between Luxembourg and France.
  • 2017 – Contract for Esch-Schifflange feasibility study. Launch of the "Sinterbecken-Platz" competition. Land allocation for the first three plots in Central Square.