Steven Delva

Steven Delva – A Smart Balance Between Ecology and Economy

“Let nature generate revenue instead of being just a cost.”

“We should never settle for ‘greenwashing’ buildings. The real estate sector as a whole must work together to create meaningful impact by thinking holistically about large urban developments.” These are the words of Steven Delva, the acclaimed landscape architect with roots in West Flanders, who has built an international career with offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Antwerp. Ahead of Realty Talks, the real estate gathering focusing on sustainability and innovation, we spoke with a man who operates at the very top of his field. Delva shares how entrepreneurship can empower nature to do its job.

“It doesn’t have to be complicated,” says Delva. “Why not smartly leverage the private ambitions of entrepreneurs to solve societal challenges?” This perfectly encapsulates his life philosophy. His journey toward happiness began in the clay-rich soils of West Flanders, where Delva grew up on a farm, deeply connected to nature. From his parents, he learned that taking care of Mother Earth pays off. The healthier the soil, the richer the harvest—and the higher the profit. Once again, it’s simple but brilliant logic.

“Anyone can put a green veneer on a building. I want to create real impact,” Delva asserts. And he does. Recently, in Middelkerke, he was the driving force behind SILT, the renowned casino project. “We didn’t just address the request for a casino; we actually worked on a coastal reinforcement project. Instead of building a casino on the dike, we used the casino as a tool to strengthen the dike. On top of the dike, we created a dune formation. By linking multiple challenges, we increased necessary safety, promoted climate adaptation, reintroduced nature, and saved enormous costs—all through an integrated design. It’s a strong concept that tackled every relevant issue at once.”

Another great example is the newest residential development in Lisse, the Netherlands, known as Geestwater. Here, 450 homes were built on a polder without importing expensive soil or destroying the existing natural landscape. On the contrary, the homes were constructed amidst wetlands and greenery. The result? The investor was able to build more homes, reduce paved areas and construction costs, help the government meet water management goals, and pave the way for a nature organization to manage the land in the future.

“It’s never just about greenery or just about the economy,” adds the landscape architect-urban planner. “Real estate investors who add green spaces to tick a box for permits—that’s not how it works. And neither does the idealism of turning every square meter of concrete into flora and fauna while ignoring economic realities. To save the planet and create livable environments for people and wildlife, ecology and economy must go hand in hand.”

According to Delva, truly greening a city—not just superficially—makes neighborhoods more attractive and revitalizes areas. His advice: start construction and investment projects by focusing on the landscape, soil, and water. This approach delivers radical, effective solutions to multiple societal needs. Automatically, this leads to the intersection of ecology and economy, where progress can be made.

“Let nature generate revenue instead of being just a cost. Common sense is part of the culture in the Low Countries. Let’s make better use of it—it will take us far as a society.”

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