Member(s) of Government responsible for this response
Elke Van den Brandt
Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Mobility, Public works and Road Safety
Ans Persoons
Secretary of State of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urbanism and heritage, European and international relations, Foreign trade and Fire fighting and emergency medical assistance
Response
This proposal is in line with existing
measures or upcoming legislation.
Explanation in the area of urban development
Public spaces in Brussels are still too paved. To remedy this and make Brussels a green and pleasant city, to beautify the city, to contribute to the development of biodiversity, to combat the phenomenon of urban heat islands and create a cooling network, to reduce the negative effects of air pollution and to create living spaces, the first reading of the draft Regional Urban Development Ordinance proposes that on public roads, the area of open green space should account for at least 10% of the surface area. In public open space, it is therefore demanded that a significant amount of tall-stemmed trees be present to provide shade.
The presence of vegetation and open areas in all public spaces is an essential factor in improving the human habitat and environmental quality in the city. This should enable large-scale continuity of natural environments and the formation of a cooling network. Vegetation also provides shade and evapotranspiration, which is beneficial in combating heat islands and heat waves. 10% vegetation is a minimum. The wider the road (10 m or more), the more vegetation there should be (aim for 15% or more). If there is parking along the road, trees should preferably be planted in line with it. The residential function, and not just mobility, is becoming more important and that means inclusive spaces, rest areas and meeting places, with associated street furniture (fountains, public toilets, benches, etc.).
Explanation in the area of mobility
The Region has a number of programmes to help residents reclaim public space, particularly by reducing the amount of traffic on roads:
The Local Mobility Contract
The Local Mobility Contract (LMC) is a cooperation project between the Region and the municipalities created by the Regional Mobility Plan 2020-2030. This programme has a number of key objectives, which can be summarised as “making neighbourhoods car-free”:
- Improving traffic conditions for pedestrians, cyclists (comfort, safety) and public transport (efficiency), making them more attractive;
- Improving local public spaces by giving more space to local activities, plant cover and sustainable rainwater management;
- Improving the quality of life for Brussels residents by reducing the nuisance of car traffic: noise, air pollution, road safety.
On local roads, where available space is limited, achieving these objectives means reducing the space occupied by traffic and/or the volume of traffic.
- Various calls for projects, such as Bruxelles en Vacances or Inspirons le Quartier; through these calls for projects, local residents, whether organised into associations or not, can submit projects for the temporary design of public spaces and receive financial and/or methodological support.
- Municipalities can also apply for a grant from Brussels Mobility to make their streets greener.