fencing

Fences are placed in urban areas for safety reasons. This single object provides a solution for the demarcation, separation and articulation of public space. The most well-known applications are the fencing along bridges and ascending constructions, around docks and quays and along ponds and canals. Antwerp has no tradition in installing fencing, unlike Mechelen or Lier, for example, where the water runs through the city and for safety reasons balustrades were placed as an edging. In Antwerp there is the only denominable fencing along the quays, where city and port area were separated by a fencing in the 19th century; Only the hiking terraces allowed a glimpse of the harbour. For a number of years now, fencing has resurfaced as street furniture, usually to protect vulnerable road users from fast and aggressive motorised traffic. In recent years, they have also become more and more common along tramways, as a railway vehicle always and everywhere has priority. Moreover, it is increasingly being proposed as an alternative to the many series of (traffic) poles in the city – with or without the possibility of greening against them by climbing plants or hedge structures. De Lijn and the green service are today the largest installers of fences and fences in the city. The Flemish Transport Company places them on platforms along central tram and bus lanes and as protection/separation of the non-passable beds. City and neighborhood maintenance uses fences on the green and playground areas as, bordering of ponds and borders, as a structure for hedges and climbing plants, to catch balls on sports and playgrounds, .... In addition, in the past, chain posts were often placed on school environments, in order to prevent children from (impulsively) crossing the street when leaving the school gate. Finally, there is a removable / foldable fence that is used in squares to exceptionally allow markets, commuters or other festivities access to the square.