To see an example of best-practice in land management on the edge of a major city, delegates undertook a tour of the Woluweveld. The Woluweveld includes open spaces, bicycle routes, farm land and the Toyota Greenway – a slow cycling and walking trail that connects Head Office and the Toyota Technical Centre. Before arriving at TME Head Office, the delegates were addressed by Frederik Depoortere, Cycling Manager for the Brussels Region, who explained the existing cycling network and outlined the region’s plans for the future. Along the route the group also met with local farmers and representatives from VLM who outlined their views on managing the open space in the Woluweveld.
The delegates were welcomed to Head Office by Piet Steel, VP European Affairs. Mr Steel explained TME’s approach to CSR and how this translates into practice in the Toyota Greenway. The Greenway is being developed through annual voluntary activities by TME employees. The project started in March 2009 as an initiative of the Body Engineering group at the Technical Centre.
The Toyota Greenway is an example of how employee commitment can be transformed into a green activity. The volunteers work in close cooperation with local stakeholders including the Municipality of Zaventem, the Flemish regional government through the VLM, and with Econet, a local NGO that specialises in landscape management.
The visit by the representatives from PURPLE presented the Toyota Greenway team with a wonderful opportunity to obtain feedback on Toyota’s CSR initiatives and to understand the expectations for the future. Thanks to the employees and their families who made the 2009 Greenway planting a success, a long-term plan has been developed. The plan aligns fully with the infrastructure plans of VLM and the community of Zaventem.
Further information
Maarten Sper
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij Vlaams-Brabant
Projectrealisatie
Diestsevest 25
3000 LEUVEN
T +32 16 31 17 19
Marten.sper@vlm.be
