Kanaalzone-South becomes a lively neighborhood with a green park along the canal

Alderman Mieke Verhees: The entire area along the canal will change significantly in the coming years, with developments in HUGO, de Caai, and Kanaalzone-South. It will become an attractive neighborhood to live, work, and stay. With the area framework, we have agreed on what is important. We will now further develop this so it becomes more concrete.

A new, lively neighborhood

Kanaalzone-South is the area between Kanaaldijk-Zuid, Breitnerstraat, Dirk Boutslaan, and De Caai. About 2,000 new homes will be built here. The design of the homes will be developed later. There is space for some residential towers up to 75 meters high and one tower up to 105 meters high. Between the buildings, inviting streets, alleys, and green courtyards will be created as part of a lively and healthy public space. Residents can meet, recreate, and move around the neighborhood in a relaxed way. Besides homes, there will also be space for workplaces and facilities with a creative and innovative character. An example is the Design Academy Eindhoven, currently located in the Witte Dame, which will move to Kanaalzone-South in the future.

Canal park

The Eindhoven Canal will be an important part of the new neighborhood. Along the canal, there will be a long, green park at least 20 meters wide; the ‘Kanaalpark’. It will be a pleasant place for residents and visitors to walk, exercise, or relax in the greenery and by the water. The canal is also important for nature. There are special aquatic plants, many different small water animals, and a good fish population. We want to protect and improve this nature and water quality.

Structure and traffic

The current Kanaaldijk-Zuid will become part of the Kanaalpark. This will be a route for pedestrians and cyclists. Cars will no longer be allowed here. The municipality is investigating whether a new bicycle, pedestrian, and public transport bridge with a wildlife passage is possible over the canal. This crossing will be in line with Gabriël Metsulaan and Tenierslaan. The area between Kanaaldijk-Zuid and Dirk Boutslaan will be low-traffic and only accessible for destination traffic and emergency services. Dirk Boutslaan will be designed as an urban boulevard, with space for car and bicycle traffic. The design will be developed later.

Parking

Parking spaces will be mostly out of sight. There will be parking spots for multiple groups at different times (shared use). We are investigating whether one large parking lot can be created. Options include parking under the canal or an above-ground parking lot near Dirk Boutslaan. This must fit well into the environment, have lots of greenery, and possibly other functions, such as a playground on the roof. We want to improve connections to public transport, create better walking routes to high-frequency public transport stops, and consider a new bus stop.

Working together on the area framework

During the preparation of the area framework, intensive cooperation took place with (land)owners in the area. We also spoke with organized parties and interest groups. The area framework affects the living environment of residents of surrounding neighborhoods. Therefore, they were involved early on through street conversations, meetings, and digital questionnaires.

Next steps

Now that the area framework has been adopted, urban development will begin. This phase includes developing the housing program, the number and types of homes, and types of facilities. The public space and design of Kanaalzone-South will also be further concretized. This will lead to a first rough phasing. At the same time, the zoning plan will be amended to legally enable the developments. From the end of 2027, the first subprojects will be developed, including initial construction projects. Additionally, work will be done on the connection to the Ring road and traffic structure around Kanaalzone during the same period.

More information and the area framework can be found at: openeindhoven.nl/kanaalzonezuid