Water without borders : an Interreg program takes the ecological and landscape restoration of the Lys valley (Nord-Pas-de-Calais) region in charge

Abstract

The Lys valley rearrangement, in the sense of a landscape requalification and restoration, is a perfect example of a European « Interreg » action within the French and Belgian regional networks which, added together, make up the most important fluvial region in Europe. The Lys offers a large variability of flows, which means flooding risks, a water quality damaged by agricultural and industrial pollutions, eroded banks, because of the lack of upkeep, and obsolete equipments. The first realizations go towards a diversified use of the river, where the land valorization answers to the rearrangement of the river itself, helped by nautical equipment (yachting harbours, entertainment basis). The landscape rearrangements must help recreate the identity of this North region, while allowing a touristic and ecological redevelopment, and while also preserving an extraordinary network of ecological passages, in the sense given by landscape ecologists.