Brussels, Belgium

Brussels is home to the European Union and is also the largest urban area in Belgium, comprised of 19 municipalities. The metropolitan area has a population of over 1.8 million, making it the largest in Belgium. For several years, Brussels has been involved in a large number of activities aiming to meet the environmental challenges specific to a modern city-region. The objective is for Brussels to become a model for sustainable development in the coming years.

The Brussels-Capital Region has chosen to develop several courses of action involving all areas of life in the community. Firstly, the region decided to improve the energy efficiency of buildings through large-scale promotion of sustainable renovation and construction techniques. In the long-term, general implementation of the ‘very low energy’ and ‘passive’ standards have been defined as clear objectives of the policy. Finally, significant resources are being devoted to combating environmental pollution through water purification, combating pollution peaks and reducing waste. The region is also supporting hundreds of local  initiatives, such as sustainable neighbourhoods and the creation of vegetable gardens. 

Sustainability focus: Supporting existing neighbourhoods

The Brussels region believes that it’s important to both work on new districts, and refurbish the old ones.Therefore the region has introduced the “Sustainable Neighborhood Contracts” programme. Every year, four ‘hotspots’ are selected and given support and financing. The funds flow on an integrated approach basis, for instance, into new social housings, quality public space, housing insulation, water management, alternative energies, recreational facilities, and socio-economical projects, all in a co-definition process with all inhabitants.

For each district, the definition of the programme is organised with all the stakeholders of the district, giving a true meaning to the word “contract”. The participation of residents takes the form of their presence on the management bodies set up to monitor projects, but also innovative forms such as "diagnostic walkabouts" or "district workshops" which help to redefine the contribution of stakeholders, enabling each participant to be on the same level, and bringing what he knows and thinks.

One example is the district of Masui, which has a low-income social structure. The innovative pilot project is concerning the dry and meanwhile overgrown bed of the River Senne, which is turning into a ‘green corridor’ with parks, allotments gardens and cycling lanes. New residential areas and various social facilities are expected to develop around the green corridor.

Achievements:

• Brussels is a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors
• The city has organised a car free day for the last three years as part of its European Mobility Week activities

“Our ambition: a global culture of the sustainable city, so that respect for the environment contributes to the human and social development of Brussels and the joie de vivre of its residents.”

Evelyne Huytebroeck,
Minister for Environment, Energy and Urban Renovation
of the Brussels-Capital Region

ICLEI and Brussels: The Brussels Capital Region has been an ICLEI member since 2004. ICLEI is represented in the capital of the European Union by the ICLEI Brussels Office. The office developed a practical guide entitled How to organise sustainable meetings & events in Brussels in 2011. As part of its sustainable activities the Brussels Capital Region is supporting the ICLEI European Convention 2011. ICLEI and Brussels also developed a case study on the region's local climate and energy actions as part of the LG Action project.

Websites: www.sustainablecity.be [In English], www.villedurable.be [In French], www.duurzamestad.be [In Dutch]