Connecting communities
Enriching public space with art
As Q-Park strengthens its position as a sustainable urban mobility partner, our mission extends beyond simply operating parking facilities. We actively contribute to urban liveability and strengthen the visual quality of public space. Art has the power to link infrastructure with its surroundings – not only for our customers, but for everyone in the neighbourhood.
By giving art a prominent place in and around our parking infrastructure, we transform functional spaces into meaningful environments that enrich the visitor's experience and contribute to the local community and their surroundings.
In 2025 three significant art projects were realised:
Peter Struycken, Ossenmarkt, Groningen (NL)
Hands, Heerlen (NL)
Godefriduskaai, Antwerp (BE)
Peter Struycken, Ossenmarkt, Groningen (NL)
Light artwork by Peter Struycken in Q-Park Ossenmarkt
Q-Park Ossenmarkt in Groningen, the Netherlands is an exceptional parking facility. The circular structure is located beneath the historic market square, formerly home to the regional cattle market.
When the parking facility was completed in 2001, the municipality of Groningen commissioned an artwork by the Dutch artist and sculptor Peter Struycken. As the structure lacks natural daylight, it’s an ideal setting to play with light. The installation consists of twenty light boxes at the base of the parking facility, situated to illuminate the concrete construction and programmed to vary the colours.
Q-Park Ossenlarkt, Groningen. Municipality of Groningen transfers ownership of artwork to Q-Park Netherlands.
Struycken developed the computer software himself, creating an algorithm which generates colour variations without repetition. The timing and colour sequencing is based on the average speed at which cars drive around the central void, allowing visitors to experience gradual colour changes without the disorienting effect of rapid changes.
As the artwork is located within the parking facility and is therefore not of the public domain, the municipality decided in 2025 to transfer ownership.
Given the strong connection between the light artwork and Q-Park Ossenmarkt, we chose to incorporate it into our portfolio. By doing so, we ensure that the artwork remains accessible and continues to contribute to Groningen’s cultural identity
Hands, Heerlen (NL)
Mural: ‘Hands’ by Chaim van LuitPhoto: Luc Lodder
In recent years, the municipality of Heerlen has been rejuvenating/redeveloping the city centre. This has created many opportunities to strengthen the community through art and culture and Heerlen particularly wants this to be accessible to young and old and people from all walks of life.
The municipality realised the project in partnership with SCHUNCK, which acted as cultural advisor and commissioning partner. SCHUNCK invited Chaim van Luit to develop a site-specific installation for the Plaarstraat.
In commissioning the work as part of its public art programme, the work has upgraded this transitional urban space. The artwork is a neon mural depicting hands which transforms the rear facade of Q-Park De Putgraaf in the city centre.
Visual artist Chaim van Luit, born in Heerlen, and known for his graffiti and street art installations, drew inspiration from the prehistoric hand stencils in Argentina’s , some of the oldest known wall paintings in the world.
In Van Luit’s mural, hands help each other, representing how people connect and need each other to get somewhere, in this case, to the ‘green crown’ roof garden on top of Q-Park Putgraaf.
This installation differs from other street art in Heerlen as it uses neon: a dying craft as neon signage has had to make way for versatile LED installations.
The mural can best be viewed from a narrow alleyway that leads from the main square. Since the unveiling in August 2025, this previously dark and dismal back street is now cheerfully illuminated and the place to be in Heerlen.
It adds a new layer to Heerlen's cultural landscape and reinforces the importance of the Plaarstraat as a small but vital connector between streets and people.
(Source: Museum Schunck, Heerlen)
Godefriduskaai, Antwerp
Urban flow mural by Sam Billen, Treepack
To enhance the visitor experience at Q-Park Godefriduskaai, we commissioned art collective Treepack to bring its vision of art in the public space to life.
The mural is not only a visual asset to the location, it also reflects the core values of social interaction, connection and urban integration.
A work of art that moves with the city
The mural, entitled Urban Flow and designed by artist and Treepack art director Sam Billen, is an ode to the dynamism of Antwerp's dock area.
Two open hands on either side symbolise the connection with the city and how the parking facility welcomes visitors.
Between the abstract lines and powerful colours, we can see faces, urban birds, a sailing boat, the moon and the rising sun – all elements that reinforce the lively atmosphere of this location.
Urban Flow mural lining the walkway between Q-Park Godefriduskaai and Felix Pakhuis and MAS museum.
The design also includes architectural references to the MAS museum building, which means that the mural not only fits in perfectly with the surroundings, but actively strengthens the ties.
From now on, visitors will experience the pedestrian access route as more than a functional corridor: it has become a location that speaks, moves and connects.