© Diana Hoffmann
Work on Dudelange's future Neischmelz district is advancing on schedule, with the cleaned steel structure of the former rolling mill set to be integrated into a sustainable, largely car-free neighbourhood of 1,575 homes, public facilities, and cultural spaces.
Where a lively new neighbourhood will one day take shape, heavy machinery is still hard at work. Trucks continue to haul soil from the construction site, which represents a major challenge given the area's industrial past. From 1883 to 2005, the steelworks were operated by ARBED and later by ArcelorMittal. Some of the original buildings from that time will be integrated into the new district.
Jacques Vandivinit, Director of the Housing Fund, explained that most of the current efforts are focused on soil management, meaning the removal of pollution from the ground and old buildings caused by former industrial activity. He noted that, while most of the site's old buildings have already been demolished, some have been preserved for their heritage value and are currently being cleaned and decontaminated.
Progress overall has been steady, according to Vandivinit. The 600m-long steel structure of the former rolling mill halls has now been fully cleaned and is ready for integration into the new neighbourhood. Vandivinit noted that this structure will later host a "box-in-a-box" system beneath it: a series of interconnected spaces designed to house various activities. In addition to housing, the project will include sports and cultural facilities to create a vibrant and liveable district.
Covering 34 hectares, the new neighbourhood will stretch from Dudelange's town hall to the French border. Plans include 1,575 housing units, a primary school, nurseries, and shops.
© Diana Hoffmann
A car-free district with strong public transport links
The area is designed to be largely car-free, with centralised car parks located between the new neighbourhood and the existing historical Italian district. However, accessibility remains a priority, as Dudelange mayor Dan Biancalana highlighted. He stressed that the railway station in the 'Quartier Italien' will play a key role in connecting the district.
Biancalana explained that, once the ongoing modernisation works on the railway line between Luxembourg City and Bettembourg are complete, attention will shift to the Bettembourg–Dudelange axis. This, he said, will eventually allow for direct train connections between Dudelange and the capital, representing a significant advantage for the future Neischmelz community.
As for the overall timeline, the project remains on track, according to Biancalana. Groundbreaking is expected next year, with the first residents likely to move in within three to four years. Two of the four local development plans (PAPs) that make up the project are expected to be completed within the next eight years. However, full completion of the entire district is projected for around 2040–2042.
An information session about the Neischmelz project will take place on Monday, 17 November, at 6.30pm.
