The video of Plan B Josaphat

The Brussels government will have to choose on the Josaphat site. Does it want to be the last government of the 20th century or the first government of the 21st century?

"We are here on the Friche Josaphat. In 20 years, an incredible source of biodiversity has developed here naturally. It should be able to last for centuries, but it may be over by next year." With these words, historian and writer David Van Reybrouck opens the video on the "Plan B Josaphat".

Watch the video on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube and share it with your network.

Van Reybrouck is not the only one in Brussels who is worried about the future of this exceptional space. A network of citizens and associations wants to protect this jewel of Brussels' biodiversity. They are reaching out to the Brussels government to draw up a plan together for the Friche Josaphat in a new video. 

How to understand what’s at stake in urban planning?

The government made a masterplan for Josaphat based on outdated assumptions. What better way to understand what is at stake in urban development plans than by going there on-site? However, due to corona and the breeding season, it is not ideal to allow a mass of people on the Friche. We, therefore, call on everyone to watch the video. That way, people can better understand why we need to preserve this unique spot in Brussels," says Steyn Van Assche of BRAL, City Movement for Brussels.

Plan B Josaphat

"The nice thing with a dossier like Josaphat's is that we bring together nature experts, such as those active in Natagora and Natuurpunt, with local residents, urban movements for Brussels, people who maintain a vegetable garden, and with a whole host of actors who make the world of tomorrow.”

The basic idea of Plan B Josaphat is very simple: reinforce nature where there is now nature and reinforce the city where there is now the city. You can perfectly combine the two: green where it is now green, grey where it is already grey," adds Amandine Tiberghien of Natagora.

These citizens, committees and associations who are committed today to protect the Friche Josaphat are not doing so because they are against politics. On the contrary, we want to think constructively about the future of this special place.

“That is why they are calling for a halt to the start-up phase. Before you know it, the work has started and it is too late. The Brussels Government will have to choose whether it wants to be the last government of the 20th century or the first government of the 21st century. The choice is hers." – David Van Reybrouck

Through an online petition, more than 15,000 people expressed their disagreement with the current plan and demanded a different vision: a Plan B for Josaphat.

This video is a collaboration between ARAU, BRAL, Bruxelles Nature, collectif Bas Les PAD, Comité Mediapark, Natagora, Natuurpunt Brussel, Josaph’aire, Sauvons La Friche Josaphat, Sauvons le parc avenue des jardins, Comité Leopold III and David Van Reybrouck. The video is made by the Brussels based collective Dérive.

What can you do?

• Watch the video on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube and share it with your network.
  • ❓ The Brussels government needs to choose: does it want to be the last one of the 20th century or the first one of the 21st century?
    🌳 The Brussels government can make the Friche Josaphat into an example of a sustainable city.
    🤝 Citizens, nature associations, neighbourhood committees and associations joined forces to propose credible alternatives against the destruction of the Friche Josaphat. #PlanBJosaphat #Brussel #Bruxelles #SauvonslaFricheJosaphat #CitizensActionBrussels #BruGov #bxl
• Watch the teaser of the video on Facebook, Instagram of YouTube and share it with your network.
• Read the full manifest: bit.ly/ManifestoPlanBJosaphatNL and bit.ly/ManifestePlanBJosaphatFR

• Don’t forget to sign the petition: bit.ly/sauvonsjosaphat

Hopefully the government is watching. We will keep you posted on the results.