"Let Nature Generate Profit Instead of Just Being a Cost"
“We should never settle for ‘greenwashing’ buildings. The real estate sector as a whole must create impact by thinking holistically about major urban developments.” These are the words of Steven Delva, the renowned landscape architect with West Flemish roots who has built an international career with offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Antwerp. In the run-up to Futurebuild Belgium, we spoke with a man who operates at the highest level in his field. He offers us exclusive insights into how entrepreneurship can harness nature to do its job.
INTERVIEW with Steven Delva
Landscape Architect at DELVA
“It doesn’t have to be complex,” says Delva. “Why not smartly leverage the private interests of entrepreneurs to help solve societal challenges?” This statement perfectly sums up his philosophy. His journey toward this vision began in the clay soils of West Flanders, where he grew up in a farming family in harmony with nature. His parents taught him that taking care of Mother Earth pays off: the healthier the soil, the richer the harvest, and the higher the return. Once again, a simple yet brilliant logic.
“Anyone can add a green layer to a building. I want to create impact,” Delva asserts. And he does. A recent example is in Middelkerke, where he played a leading role as the landscape architect behind SILT, the renowned casino. “We weren’t just responding to a request for a casino; in reality, we were working on a coastal reinforcement project. Instead of building a casino on the dike, we used the casino as a means to strengthen the dike itself. On top of the dike, we created a dune formation. By integrating different challenges, we enhanced safety, promoted climate adaptation, reintroduced nature, and saved enormous costs. All through an integrated design approach—starting from a strong concept that provided solutions for multiple pressing issues.”
Another prime example is the latest expansion of Lisse in the Netherlands, known as Geestwater. This new district was built on a polder without importing expensive soil or destroying the existing nature. On the contrary, 450 homes were constructed within the wetlands and green areas. The result? The developer was able to build more homes, significantly reducing hard surfaces and thus lowering construction costs. Meanwhile, the government achieved its water management goals, and a nature conservation organization will soon manage the land.
“It’s never just about greenery or just about the economy,” adds Delva, who is both a landscape architect and urban planner. “Real estate investors who develop large projects and add greenery as an afterthought just to secure permits—that’s not how it works. Nor is it viable when environmental activists demand that every square meter of concrete be transformed into a nature reserve without acknowledging economic realities. If we want to save the planet and create livable environments for people and animals, we must ensure that ecology does not hinder the economy—and vice versa.”
A city that embraces true greening—not superficial greenwashing—becomes more attractive and revitalizes neighborhoods, Delva argues. His philosophy: real estate and investment projects should start from the landscape, the soil, and the water to provide bold and effective solutions to multiple societal challenges. Inevitably, this leads to the intersection of ecology and economy, where real progress is made. “Let nature generate profit instead of just being a cost. Common sense is deeply rooted in the culture of the Low Countries—let’s make better use of it. It will take us far as a society.”