Member(s) of Government responsible for this response
Rudi Vervoort
Minister-President of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urban Development and urban renewal, Tourism, the Promotion of the Image of Brussels and Bicultural issues of regional importance
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
In the wake of the recent health and economic crisis, the Horeca Federation and other associations representing the sector asked the Region for support in the development of terraces and a clear regulatory framework.
In terms of urban planning, the regulatory framework is laid down in the Brussels Town and Country Planning Code, the Regional Town and Country Planning Ordinance and the Small Business Decree.
To clarify and facilitate administrative practices, initial guidelines for catering terraces in public spaces were adopted for a period of two years, in 2021 and 2022.
These guidelines extend until 30 September 2024 the framework that was first adopted by the government in April 2021. In the summer of 2024, they will be replaced by the new regulatory framework of the new Regional Urban Planning Ordinance and the corresponding Exemptions Decree. Restaurants and cafés can keep their terraces in car parking spaces. Over time, their place on public roads has demonstrated how lively the city becomes when residents and non-cars are given the necessary space. The ambition is to make this a permanent part of the upcoming new Regional Urban Planning Ordinance.
The objectives are to provide a clear framework for all players, including hospitality businesses, municipalities and the Region, and to support the dynamism of the hospitality sector, as well as to provide a framework for the quality of developments and a commitment to flexibility and sustainability, and to contribute to the regional goal of reducing the number of on-street parking spaces to less than 200,000.
Linked to this proposal is the policy to support the temporary use of sites pending or under renovation, which is encouraged and systematically considered for regional sites. These spaces, sometimes vacant for several years, can host many innovative initiatives from the voluntary sector, local residents, institutions or companies looking for a space to develop, including cultural and community projects, as well as help for the most disadvantaged, workshops, event projects, etc. To support initiatives and opportunities in this area, a regional counter for temporary use has been set up at https://temporary.brussels
Explanation in the area of mobility
Regarding on-street parking, this proposal reflects the spirit of the project calls “Living Labs – Brussels on Holiday”, which enable residents and users to reuse Brussels streets and public spaces during the summer, see “Living Labs – Brussels on Holiday”: https://mobilite-mobiliteit.brussels/fr/news/les-subventions-offertes-par-bruxelles-mobilite.
As for off-street parking, there are currently more plans to make better use of this as a place to park in order to free up more public space. Consideration could also be given to converting off-street parking spaces, especially for logistics, storage or other uses. The COBRACE/BWLKE encourages companies to reduce their company parking spaces and convert them to local parking, storage or other uses.
Temporary uses can also be considered for off-street parking, although this is certainly less appropriate in terms of quality of space, security, etc.
Since car parks are mainly owned by private individuals, negotiations with them should be done in advance.