DEMOLITION AND ASBESTOS REMOVAL CONCRETE PLANT SOGENT

The City of Ghent and Sogent (formerly AG Stadsontwikkeling) have transformed the old maritime-industrial area around Ghent's three oldest docks into a new waterfront residential area. Here new urban developments are coming up to cruising speed. The old Inter-beton concrete plant was a landmark building in the area. Popular among graffiti artists, but also a building with asbestos-containing insulation materials and asbestos cement, which had to make way for the construction of the green zone "neighborhood" park. Mourik was commissioned to safely demolish and dismantle the plant, including the removal of asbestos.

CLEANING SILOS AND ASBESTOS REMOVAL

An important part of the work was emptying and cleaning the silos of the concrete plant. In addition, we removed all insulation materials and asbestos cement containing asbestos. To prevent dust formation and protect the environment from (harmful) contamination from suspended and asbestos particles, we installed a misting system.

SAFETY MEASURES, DEMOLITION AND DISMANTLING

Given the location of the concrete plant between streets and a passageway for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters along the waterfront, we had to take the necessary measures to guide traffic safely past the works. The demolition of the concrete plant consisted of a number of components. First, the selective demolition of Building 3, also known as the cube building, including the attached gravel hoppers. Furthermore, we took care of the demolition and dismantling of the silo building with the closed connecting bridge at height, as well as the free-standing wall next to the silo building.

Since its closure in 2009, the concrete plant had become a graffiti paradise for street-art artists from all over the world. With the demolition of the concrete plant, much of the street art the building was known for also disappeared. But fortunately, we were able to save a beautiful work: the image of an old man looking back on his life. We returned this work to the artist who made it and it has found a new home. Thus a special piece of Ghent history has been preserved.