Muros Habitabile

Flooding is an escalating threat for cities like Dinant, Belgium, located along the Meuse. The city has experienced severe floods in 1995, 2002, and 2021. On average, floods occur once every 10 years, with intensities rising due to climate change. Traditional flood defenses—locks, dikes, and channeling—have proven inadequate in dealing with these unpredictable and powerful events. As water levels rise and extreme weather becomes more frequent, current strategies are no longer sufficient. How can architecture adapt to this reality, ensuring resilience while living alongside the river?

Muros Habitabile proposes an innovative architectural response to the increasing flood risks faced by Dinant, Belgium. The project challenges traditional flood defense systems, such as locks and dikes, which have proven ineffective against the rising and unpredictable waters of the Meuse River. In response, the project offers a future-proof solution based on research conducted at ETH Zurich (studio Gramazio Kohler), rethinking how architecture can coexist with the river rather than control it. At the core of the proposal is the idea of inhabitable walls, drawing inspiration from Dinant’s historic fortifications. These seven walls, strategically placed along the Meuse, create space for the river to expand horizontally, reversing the conventional approach of reinforcing barriers. By allowing the river to flow naturally and reclaim its floodplain, the project mitigates flooding while preserving the city’s space for growth. This urban model is not based on rigid street grids but on flexible boundaries defined by the placement of the walls. These walls do not merely act as barriers but as spatial elements that guide the development of the settlement. By limiting space in specific areas, they open up the potential for new uses in surrounding zones, encouraging a dynamic, self-sustaining environment that can evolve in response to changing conditions. The project emphasises a symbiotic relationship between the city and its natural environment, allowing the Meuse to regain horizontal space and adapt to future challenges. In its primary form, the wall provides a sustainable framework for a flood-resistant city, proposing a new approach to urban planning and resilience in the face of climate change.