Revitalization of a historical industrial port district - The goods station district in Antwerp

Today the industrial heritage close to historic city centres is often part of major redevelopment projects. This is also the case for the former goods station district located in the north of Antwerp, close to the historic port of the city. The good station district was developed during the second half of the nineteenth century when new urban space became available after the demolition of the Spanish city walls in the 1860s. Henceforth, the city and its entrepreneurial citizens had the opportunity to develop a new industrial district with a goods station that linked the port with its hinterland. This industrial zone, which was highly productive during the second half of the nineteenth and the twentieth century, is characterized by many impressive warehouses. Recently however, this fascinating historic district started to undergo dramatic changes. The industry moved to the outskirts of the city and after a period of degeneration ambitious redevelopment plans were developed introducing new functions. The district is redeveloped as a residential district with offices. The vacant warehouses and factories attracted the attention of building promoters because of their valuable, large plots near the centre of the city. Some historic warehouses were demolished to make room for new office and apartment blocks, others were irreversibly changed. Although many warehouses still remain, their safeguarding is endangered by the speed and intensity by which the urban space is being redeveloped.It is, therefore, indispensable to rethink the value of the unique and diverse collection of remaining historical warehouses and their significance in the ever-changing fabric of the district. This paper aims to provide a scientific base to support the preservation and adaptive reuse of these warehouses, which still occupy large parts of the former goods station district. The paper analyses the planning history over the past 150 years of this particular district, located between the port and the goods station in Antwerp. Archival research (cadastral information, urban cartography and historic address books) allowed to define and to understand the establishment, functioning and evolution of the district. Additional research of building permits was necessary to define the historical importance of the warehouses, serving as a base to put forward criteria for their preservation. Furthermore, on-site investigations provided insight into the recent developments and were necessary to evaluate the reconversion projects of the warehouses and the changing integration of the latter in the urban fabric from a critical point of view. Finally, suggestions are formulated for respectful integration and renovation strategies. Henceforth, the study serves qualitative redevelopment projects as it is indeed essential to revalue historic industrial buildings in the evolving city centers and to investigate how this valuable heritage can be preserved for further generations

Historische stedelijke pakhuizen in Brussel: architectuur en bouw

Historische stedelijke pakhuizen zijn opmerkelijke structuren. Ondanks hun robuuste architectuur zijn ze nu echter kwetsbaar stedelijk erfgoed geworden en worden ze met sloop bedreigd. Lopend onderzoek aan de Vrije Universiteit Brussel richt zich op de ontwikkeling van kennis over de architectuur, de werking en de bouw van pakhuizen in Antwerpen, Brussel en Gent en hun integratie in het stedelijke weefsel, om zo hun behoud en een respectvolle herbestemming te steunen. Deze paper bevat de resultaten van een grondig archiefonderzoek en van de eerste plaatsbezoeken van de negentiende en twintigste-eeuwse pakhuizen in het historische centrum van Brussel, en meer bepaald in de eerste industriële zone rond de Zenne en de dokken. Tachtig afgebroken en nog bestaande stedelijke pakhuizen worden geanalyseerd door in de eerste plaats te focussen op de meest voorkomende opslaggoederen: hooi, hout, bier en textiel. Uit de analyse blijkt dat de vier goederen overeenstemmen met vier types pakhuizen die verschillen in hun architectuur, organisatie, bouw en integratie in het stedelijk weefsel.Les anciens entrepôts urbains sont de remarquables édifices. Or, malgré leur robustesse architecturale, ils constituent aujourd’hui un fragile patrimoine menacé de démolition. Les recherches actuellement menées à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) s’attachent à accroître les connaissances relatives à l’architecture, au fonctionnement et à la construction des entrepôts d’Anvers, de Bruxelles et de Gand, ainsi qu’à leur intégration dans le tissu urbain, afin de favoriser leur sauvegarde et leur réutilisation respectueuse après adaptation. Le présent article expose les résultats d’un examen approfondi de documents d’archives et d’études inédites sur le terrain, portant sur des entrepôts du XIXe et du XXe siècles situés dans le centre historique de Bruxelles, là où furent implantées les premières zones industrielles aux alentours de la Senne et des quais. L’enquête réalisée sur 80 bâtiments démolis et existants s’intéresse d’abord à l’entreposage de différentes marchandises très représentées, à savoir, le foin, le bois d’œuvre, la bière et le textile. Il apparaît qu’à chacune de ces quatre marchandises correspond un type d’entrepôt distinct en termes d’architecture, d’organisation, de construction et d’intégration urbanistique.Historical urban warehouses are remarkable structures. Today, however, and despite their robust architecture, they have become vulnerable urban heritage threatened with demolition. Current research being carried out at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel focuses on the development of knowledge about the architecture, operation and construction of warehouses in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent and their integration in the urban fabric, to support their preservation and respectful adaptive reuse. This paper contains the results of in-depth archival and first on-site investigations of nineteenth and twentieth-century warehouses in the historic city centre of Brussels, covering the first industrial zone around the river Senne and the docks. Eighty demolished and still existing urban warehouses are analysed by focusing first on the storage of some well-represented goods: hay, timber, beer and textile. The analysis shows that the four goods correspond to four types of warehouses that differ in their architecture, organisation, construction and integration in the urban fabric

Historical urban warehouses in Brussels: architecture and construction

Historical urban warehouses are remarkable structures. Today, however, and despite their robust architecture, they have become vulnerable urban heritage threatened with demolition. Current research being carried out at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel focuses on the development of knowledge about the architecture, operation and construction of warehouses in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent and their integration in the urban fabric, to support their preservation and respectful adaptive reuse. This paper contains the results of in-depth archival and first on-site investigations of nineteenth and twentieth-century warehouses in the historic city centre of Brussels, covering the first industrial zone around the river Senne and the docks. Eighty demolished and still existing urban warehouses are analysed by focusing first on the storage of some well-represented goods: hay, timber, beer and textile. The analysis shows that the four goods correspond to four types of warehouses that differ in their architecture, organisation, construction and integration in the urban fabric.Les anciens entrepôts urbains sont de remarquables édifices. Or, malgré leur robustesse architecturale, ils constituent aujourd’hui un fragile patrimoine menacé de démolition. Les recherches actuellement menées à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) s’attachent à accroître les connaissances relatives à l’architecture, au fonctionnement et à la construction des entrepôts d’Anvers, de Bruxelles et de Gand, ainsi qu’à leur intégration dans le tissu urbain, afin de favoriser leur sauvegarde et leur réutilisation respectueuse après adaptation. Le présent article expose les résultats d’un examen approfondi de documents d’archives et d’études inédites sur le terrain, portant sur des entrepôts du XIXe et du XXe siècles situés dans le centre historique de Bruxelles, là où furent implantées les premières zones industrielles aux alentours de la Senne et des quais. L’enquête réalisée sur 80 bâtiments démolis et existants s’intéresse d’abord à l’entreposage de différentes marchandises très représentées, à savoir, le foin, le bois d’œuvre, la bière et le textile. Il apparaît qu’à chacune de ces quatre marchandises correspond un type d’entrepôt distinct en termes d’architecture, d’organisation, de construction et d’intégration urbanistique.Historische stedelijke pakhuizen zijn opmerkelijke structuren. Ondanks hun robuuste architectuur zijn ze nu echter kwetsbaar stedelijk erfgoed geworden en worden ze met sloop bedreigd. Lopend onderzoek aan de Vrije Universiteit Brussel richt zich op de ontwikkeling van kennis over de architectuur, de werking en de bouw van pakhuizen in Antwerpen, Brussel en Gent en hun integratie in het stedelijke weefsel, om zo hun behoud en een respectvolle herbestemming te steunen. Deze paper bevat de resultaten van een grondig archiefonderzoek en van de eerste plaatsbezoeken van de negentiende en twintigste-eeuwse pakhuizen in het historische centrum van Brussel, en meer bepaald in de eerste industriële zone rond de Zenne en de dokken. Tachtig afgebroken en nog bestaande stedelijke pakhuizen worden geanalyseerd door in de eerste plaats te focussen op de meest voorkomende opslaggoederen: hooi, hout, bier en textiel. Uit de analyse blijkt dat de vier goederen overeenstemmen met vier types pakhuizen die verschillen in hun architectuur, organisatie, bouw en integratie in het stedelijk weefsel

Anciens entrepôts urbains de Bruxelles : architecture et construction

Les anciens entrepôts urbains sont de remarquables édifices. Or, malgré leur robustesse architecturale, ils constituent aujourd’hui un fragile patrimoine menacé de démolition. Les recherches actuellement menées à la Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) s’attachent à accroître les connaissances relatives à l’architecture, au fonctionnement et à la construction des entrepôts d’Anvers, de Bruxelles et de Gand, ainsi qu’à leur intégration dans le tissu urbain, afin de favoriser leur sauvegarde et leur réutilisation respectueuse après adaptation. Le présent article expose les résultats d’un examen approfondi de documents d’archives et d’études inédites sur le terrain, portant sur des entrepôts du XIXe et du XXe siècles situés dans le centre historique de Bruxelles, là où furent implantées les premières zones industrielles aux alentours de la Senne et des quais. L’enquête réalisée sur 80 bâtiments démolis et existants s’intéresse d’abord à l’entreposage de différentes marchandises très représentées, à savoir, le foin, le bois d’œuvre, la bière et le textile. Il apparaît qu’à chacune de ces quatre marchandises correspond un type d’entrepôt distinct en termes d’architecture, d’organisation, de construction et d’intégration urbanistique.Historische stedelijke pakhuizen zijn opmerkelijke structuren. Ondanks hun robuuste architectuur zijn ze nu echter kwetsbaar stedelijk erfgoed geworden en worden ze met sloop bedreigd. Lopend onderzoek aan de Vrije Universiteit Brussel richt zich op de ontwikkeling van kennis over de architectuur, de werking en de bouw van pakhuizen in Antwerpen, Brussel en Gent en hun integratie in het stedelijke weefsel, om zo hun behoud en een respectvolle herbestemming te steunen. Deze paper bevat de resultaten van een grondig archiefonderzoek en van de eerste plaatsbezoeken van de negentiende en twintigste-eeuwse pakhuizen in het historische centrum van Brussel, en meer bepaald in de eerste industriële zone rond de Zenne en de dokken. Tachtig afgebroken en nog bestaande stedelijke pakhuizen worden geanalyseerd door in de eerste plaats te focussen op de meest voorkomende opslaggoederen: hooi, hout, bier en textiel. Uit de analyse blijkt dat de vier goederen overeenstemmen met vier types pakhuizen die verschillen in hun architectuur, organisatie, bouw en integratie in het stedelijk weefsel.Historical urban warehouses are remarkable structures. Today, however, and despite their robust architecture, they have become vulnerable urban heritage threatened with demolition. Current research being carried out at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel focuses on the development of knowledge about the architecture, operation and construction of warehouses in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent and their integration in the urban fabric, to support their preservation and respectful adaptive reuse. This paper contains the results of in-depth archival and first on-site investigations of nineteenth and twentieth-century warehouses in the historic city centre of Brussels, covering the first industrial zone around the river Senne and the docks. Eighty demolished and still existing urban warehouses are analysed by focusing first on the storage of some well-represented goods: hay, timber, beer and textile. The analysis shows that the four goods correspond to four types of warehouses that differ in their architecture, organisation, construction and integration in the urban fabric

Towards an Effective Action for D-Branes

We introduce and review several indirect methods to calculate the effective action for a single D-brane or a set of coinciding D-branes.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, needs fortschritte.sty, contribution to the proccedings of the 37th International Symposium Ahrenshoo

4-point effective actions in open and closed superstring theory

Recently the effective action for the 4-point functions in abelian open superstring theory has been derived, giving an explicit construction of the bosonic and fermionic terms of this infinite $\alpha'$ series. In the present work we generalize this result to the nonabelian case. We test our result, at ${\alpha'}^3$ and ${\alpha'}^4$ order, with several existing versions for these terms, finding agreement in most of the cases. We also apply these ideas to derive the effective action for the 4-point functions of the NS-NS sector of closed superstring theory, to all order in $\alpha'$.Comment: 26 pages, 1 figure. To appear in JHE

Structural insights into the cTAR DNA recognition by the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein: role of sugar deoxyriboses in the binding polarity of NC

An essential step of the reverse transcription of the HIV-1 genome is the first strand transfer that requires the annealing of the TAR RNA hairpin to the cTAR DNA hairpin. HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) plays a crucial role by facilitating annealing of the complementary hairpins. Using nuclear magnetic resonance and gel retardation assays, we investigated the interaction between NC and the top half of the cTAR DNA (mini-cTAR). We show that NC(11-55) binds the TGG sequence in the lower stem that is destabilized by the adjacent internal loop. The 5′ thymine interacts with residues of the N-terminal zinc knuckle and the 3′ guanine is inserted in the hydrophobic plateau of the C-terminal zinc knuckle. The TGG sequence is preferred relative to the apical and internal loops containing unpaired guanines. Investigation of the DNA–protein contacts shows the major role of hydrophobic interactions involving nucleobases and deoxyribose sugars. A similar network of hydrophobic contacts is observed in the published NC:DNA complexes, whereas NC contacts ribose differently in NC:RNA complexes. We propose that the binding polarity of NC is related to these contacts that could be responsible for the preferential binding to single-stranded nucleic acids

Structural determinants of TAR RNA-DNA annealing in the absence and presence of HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein

Annealing of the TAR RNA hairpin to the cTAR DNA hairpin is required for the minus-strand transfer step of HIV-1 reverse transcription. HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein (NC) plays a crucial role by facilitating annealing of the complementary hairpins. To gain insight into the mechanism of NC-mediated TAR RNA–DNA annealing, we used structural probes (nucleases and potassium permanganate), gel retardation assays, fluorescence anisotropy and cTAR mutants under conditions allowing strand transfer. In the absence of NC, cTAR DNA-TAR RNA annealing depends on nucleation through the apical loops. We show that the annealing intermediate of the kissing pathway is a loop–loop kissing complex involving six base-pairs and that the apical stems are not destabilized by this loop–loop interaction. Our data support a dynamic structure of the cTAR hairpin in the absence of NC, involving equilibrium between both the closed conformation and the partially open ‘Y’ conformation. This study is the first to show that the apical and internal loops of cTAR are weak and strong binding sites for NC, respectively. NC slightly destabilizes the lower stem that is adjacent to the internal loop and shifts the equilibrium toward the ‘Y’ conformation exhibiting at least 12 unpaired nucleotides in its lower part

DNA and histone deacetylases as targets for neuroblastoma treatment

Neuroblastoma, a tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system, is the most frequent solid extra cranial tumor in children and is a major cause of death from neoplasia in infancy. Still little improvement in therapeutic options has been made, requiring a need for the development of new therapies. In our laboratory, we address still unsettled questions, which of mechanisms of action of DNA-damaging drugs both currently use for treatment of human neuroblastomas (doxorubicin, cis-platin, cyclophosphamide and etoposide) and another anticancer agent decreasing growth of neuroblastomas in vitro, ellipticine, are predominant mechanism(s) responsible for their antitumor action in neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro. Because hypoxia frequently occurs in tumors and strongly correlates with advanced disease and poor outcome caused by chemoresistance, the effects of hypoxia on efficiencies and mechanisms of actions of these drugs in neuroblastomas are also investigated. Since the epigenetic structure of DNA and its lesions play a role in the origin of human neuroblastomas, pharmaceutical manipulation of the epigenome may offer other treatment options also for neuroblastomas. Therefore, the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on growth of neuroblastoma and combination of these compounds with doxorubicin, cis-platin, etoposide and ellipticine as well as mechanisms of such effects in human neuroblastona cell lines in vitro are also investigated. Such a study will increase our knowledge to explain the proper function of these drugs on the molecular level, which should be utilized for the development of new therapies for neuroblastomas