Future zones: how Luxembourg is changing the economic landscape
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Luxembourg's Minister of Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, presented the results of a parliamentary enquiry by MP André Bauler on the development of economic zones, focusing on the Triangle Vert pilot project, a new model for organising business spaces. This project promises to be a turning point in the development of the national economy and spatial planning.
The Triangle Vert project in the Mondorf-les-Bains and Schengen neighbourhoods has become an experimental site for testing the principles of so-called "densification". It's not just about more buildings per square metre - it's a systematic approach that involves:
- increase in the land utilisation rate by 20%;
- doubling or even tripling the area devoted to economic activity.
While previously business zones were built according to a fragmented model with a large number of private green areas, now green areas are centralised. This makes it possible to create ecological corridors with a recreational function and microclimate improvement through fresh air circulation - a kind of "green lungs" between business clusters.
The new model involves not only densification but also the development of shared infrastructure: from shared parking to co-working areas and centralised waste management. This not only saves space, but also increases the manageability and sustainability of business areas.
Following the successful testing in Triangle Vert, the Ministry of Economy (Ministère de l'Économie) is already considering scaling up the model to other regions of the country. New or planned zones include Fischbach/Clervaux, Nothum (Lac de la Haute-Sûre), Mierscherbierg (Mersch), Solupla (Redange-sur-Attert), Schmatzuecht (Echternach), Potaschberg (Grevenmacher), Moersdorf (Rosport-Mompach), Koibestrachen (Dudelange), Foetz, Crassier Ehlerange (Esch-sur-Alzette and Sanem), Gadderscheier-ouest (Sanem), Grand Bis (Rodange).
To support this process, from mid-2024, a team has been set up within the Ministry to advise the intermunicipal unions (syndicats intercommunaux) that manage the economic zones. And from the beginning of 2025, a centralised platform for interaction with local authorities has been operational.
Luxembourg's economic planning is entering a new phase. The model of dense and environmentally friendly development not only meets modern requirements for sustainable development, but also creates preconditions for economic growth without expanding urbanised areas. Luxembourg is essentially betting on intelligent densification - less land, more benefits.
