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BRALpublication # 4 gives an overview and analysis of a new genereation of residents’ initiatives.

Imagine…

What would you propose for our vibrant community at the Josaphat site (not the park)?

We, as enthusiasts citizens, already created a social community garden, a sustainable kitchen and are building a collective structure to host our activities and workshops. Together we are temporarily using a part of the Josaphat site.

Which great ideas can you offer us to add to these activities?

We would like to open up to more interventions that respect Josaphat as:

- a natural environment,

- a common and integrated place,

- a laboratory, a workshop space,

- a circular and transitory use, and

- a serene and cosy atmosphere.

These ideas can show the richness of our collective creativity. We hope to get inspired. We hope to explore what is possible on this place.

In Brussels, Sint-Lucas (Faculty of Architecture KUL) collaborates with BRAL to test the potential of the Incubators platform.

We hope this tool can support citizen participation in the creation of public spaces.

At the feet of the Brussels European Parliament, on the other side of rue Vautier, the Wiertz Museum accommodates not only the work of Antoine Wiertz precursor of Belgian surrealism, but also houses the memory of Henry Conscience. The workshop, the house, the stairs, the porter’s house, the patio and the garden: all are intact witnesses of the cultural eclecticism at the time Europe’s nations were developing. Per request of the local residents, confronted with the overwhelming construction site of the Parliament, the whole has been classified on October 23, 1997.

After the European Administration privatized – against their prior promises – the classified swimming pool and theatre of the Résidence Palace nearby the Schuman;

  • when the laborious installation of the House of European History in the old Eastman Institute on the classified site of Parc Léopold made us witness the triumphant return of “façadisme’ in Brussels;
  • at a time we learn about a possible demolition/reconstruction of the parliament’s hemicycle – which is partly situated in the protected zone of the classified site of the Wiertz Museum;
  • at the moment a general reformation of the environmental planning of the region is weakening the protection of patrimony; and that a citizen movement stands up against it;
  • right when security issues are again weighing on the districts we still live in

the Associative Coordination devoting itself to the preservation of Parc Léopold has been informed that the Belgian Federal Public Service of Internal Affairs is preparing to cede the house of the artist and the garden to the European Parliament, at the price of a symbolical Euro. It also learned that one of the studied options plans on emptying the building ‘coté cour’ and raising a “provisional” large reception hall ‘coté jardin’. What pottering awaits us ahead of this?

However, the European Parliament has decided that the year 2018 would be dedicated to the Union’s cultural patrimony, since it’s an effective way to promote European citizenship. Is it reasonable then, to take on attitudes and projects that risk not only to affect the Brussels, Flemish, Belgian and European patrimony, but also to create a new discord with the citizens, starting with those who live closest to the Union’s institutions?

For this reason we ask the European Parliament and the Belgian Federal Government to accept to meet us. Together, we want to develop a project intending to create a better future for the Wiertz Museum, Parc Leopold and their direct surroundings, because the Wiertz Museum and Europe belong to us… as well!

A petition gathering over 4,000 signatures has been put online to make sure we are no longer ignored by the people forgetting that in our district, like in the whole of Europe, the citizens-residents-voters do not accept to be pushed out. We will hand it over to the European Parliament and the Belgian Government at the time of the meeting we’re looking forward to ‘mit brennender Sorge’ (with ardent concern).

Contact FR, IT, DE & EN : Marco Schmitt 0497 122 770 - NL & EN Toha De Brant 02 217 56 33

Farewell urban motorway, so long traffic jams, bye-bye pollution! Let's give back the boulevards of the Petite Ceinture to the people of Brussels again. To all the people of Brussels.

Supported by actors from the Brussels academic world and urban activist groups, Rien van de Wall and Wim Menten, the city planners of BYE BYE Petite Ceinture, bring the debate on the future of the boulevards to the front. Our kick-off event is in the Kaaitheater on 22 September, during the Week of Mobility. We will show what is possible on the Petite Ceinture and will ask prominent Brussels politicians about their view of the boulevards.

Because the new cycle paths on the Petite Ceinture can only be a start. Let's prepare the next step, one in which the boulevards bring neighbourhoods together, get Brussels moving again and raise the quality of living and working in the city centre. A giant leap forward for the capital of Europe!

BYE BYE Petite Ceinture is an initiative of Wim Menten and Rien van de Wall (city planners and authors of PetiteCeinture.be), in cooperation with BRAL, ARAU, Brussels Studies Institute, Brussels Academy, IRIB (Institut de recherches interdisciplinaires sur Bruxelles) and Architecture Workroom Brussels.

Meer info :  byebye.kleinering.be & byebye.petiteceinture.be

Facebookevent :: https://www.facebook.com/events/115453022495271/

 

City inhabitants are exposed to a number of pollutants in their day-to-day lives, which can pose significant threats to health and well-being. Levels of pollution vary across the city and citizens may be unaware that they live in, work in, or frequently pass through heavily polluted places. Consider, for instance, two residents living in the residential outskirts of Brussels. One takes the tram to work in the city center while the other bikes along busy roads to reach the same destination. After a particularly muggy day, where the air feels heavy and thick, the two discuss their concerns regarding exposure to pollution and a few questions arise. When and where are they most exposed? How does pollution at home compare to pollution in the workplace? How do the bike and tram compare? To better understand their exposure, they decide to take part in the AirCasting Brussels project. This air quality measurement campaign uses the AirCasting Airbeam, an air quality monitor that measures a fine particle pollutant known as PM 2.5.

In recent months, Brussels residents have come together with Bral and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to measure the levels of pollution we are exposed to in our daily lives. The project begins with groups of citizens gathering to discuss what we already know about air pollution and what we would like to tell others. From there, we construct research questions based on our collective interests to help focus our data collection. We consider differences in the places we occupy, the routes we take to travel between these spaces, and our modes of transportation.

As participants in the program, the two aforementioned residents, together with a few other concerned members of their community, decide to measure exposure during their commute to and from work using either the tram or bike. With their research question and protocol constructed, members of their neighborhood set out each morning with their Airbeam sensors recording. The sensor is connected to a mobile application, which allows them to see PM 2.5 levels in real time and to record these levels along the journeys they take. Data is uploaded to an online, open-source server, meaning the data collected and uploaded by all Airbeam users are free to use by the public. Because data are recorded with GPS, they are able to visualize and compare their routes on maps.

While the measurements themselves are import, the key to this project is collective learning and action. Citizens work with associations and academia to take on the role of expert and scientist in order to conduct their own experiments and data collection, and to share stories of their experiences. This model is often referred to as citizen science or participatory learning and has been embraced in recent years as a way to empower citizens to analyze, understand, and ultimately change their environments. With the knowledge gained, participants in this campaign are encouraged to take action to tackle the problems that are made apparent through the air quality measurement campaign. Examples of actions may involve showing findings to local politicians, educating our neighbors and engaging them in the campaign, or staging a public awareness demonstration.

Following their own measurement campaign, the group of residents who have now well-documented their commutes to and from work decide to host a neighborhood gathering. They present their results to their neighbors and encourage them to raise concerns at the municipal meeting the following week.

This air quality measurement project allows us to take air quality measurement into our own hands to drive citizen-led calls for clean air. It is time for us all to take on active roles in our movement for a better, healthier, cleaner city. If you would like to get involved and become a citizen scientist, contact Tim Cassiers (tim[a]bral.brussels) or Liévin Chemin (lievin[a]bral.brussels).

In general

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Your data will be processed by us:

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Zaterdagplein 13

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Belgium

info[at]bral.brussels

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BRAL takes measures to prevent third parties from abusing your personal data. If you suspect that third parties are using your data unlawfully via BRAL, please report this to us. If you have a complaint about how we use your personal data, you can report this, or to the Belgian Commission for the Protection of Privacy or to the data protection supervisory authority in your country of residence within the European Union.

It is possible that we will adjust or change our privacy policy in the future. We make these changes clear on this page. The latest update was on 24/05/2018.

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bralnews

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press

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members

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"The board of directors shall keep a register of members at the registered office of the association. This register shall include the full names and domicile of the members, or in the case of a legal person, the corporate name, legal form and address of the registered office. In addition, all decisions to admit, resign or expel members shall be entered in this register by the board of directors within eight days of the board's knowledge of the decision.” (own translation)

BRAL publishes the names of the members of the General Assembly on our website and in our annual report. We do this to show the support and network we have in Brussels. Future members will be asked whether they agree or not with putting their names in public. They have the right to disagree. Existing members may withdraw their approval at any time.

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  • Images in a public place when a person is in the public domain, and this person is not the main subject of the image;
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  • An illustration of an article on the website or in a newsletter.
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In order to achieve our goals, we have agreements with a number of third parties. We made agreements with them in order to secure your personal data. It concerns Exact Online, CLB, Aircasting and InfluencAir.

A number of large parties adapted their conditions of use so that they correspond with the GDPR compliant. These are Dropbox, Google (Google Drive / Google Forms / Gmail / ...), Mailchimp, Microsoft (Onedrive, Office365, Outlook, ...), Matomo (formerly Piwik).

We never disclose personal data to parties with whom we have not entered into a processor's agreement, unless required and permitted to do so by law. If you give us your consent, we may share your personal information with third parties. You may withdraw this permission at any time.

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BRAL does not storage personal data for longer than is necessary, depending on the purpose and the law. The following retention periods apply:

  • Donors: 10 years
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  • Network contacts and participants of projects: until someone invokes their rights or until we find out that the person is no longer exercising the function.

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We have taken appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unlawful processing:

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Did you know that BRAL has a useful #BralBib? We are happy to introduce the library to you by putting a book or a file from our archive in the spotlight. This time we're talking about "Sharing cities. Activating the Urban Commons", a practical guide to common solutions to urban problems.

Sharing cities

We start with "Sharing cities. Activating the Urban Commons", presented by Adrien Labaye of Shareable. Adrien is co-author of the book, and he also maps alternative economies for the collective TransforMap.

The book offers an alternative story for sharing in cities based on the urban commons. It contains more than 100 case studies and policy measures on shared use from more than 80 cities in 35 countries. City councils and activists can use this practical guide to devise community-based solutions to urban challenges. Adrien can explain it better. We'll let him speak in the video below (in French with Dutch subtitles).

You can not only download the book for free. You can also find it in our #BralBib.

#BralBib?

In our #BralBib, we have books on the environment, mobility, housing, urban planning and much more. In addition, we also have an archive of urban files since 1973.

Did you know that you can use our library? Yes!

The library is open during office hours and closed on public holidays. Welcome!

BRAL, les Casseuses de Crise, PaletActif, Buurtpensioen 1000 Brussel, Corvia & Centre Vidéo de Bruxelles invite you to the public premiere of 4 participative short films: Selfcity, citizens' initiatives create well-being.

Everywhere in Brussels, people come together to make life in the city more pleasant and sustainable. They help each other, create or repair objects, create services or manage goods or places that are accessible to the public. In this way, they offer an alternative to an economy where over-consumption and the collection of property are the norm. At the initiative of BRAL, 4 urban collectives (Corvia, Les Casseuses de Crise, PaletActif, Buurtpensioen 1000 BXL)  have filmed their parcours. The screening of the 4 short films is followed by a conversation.

The 4 films have been recorded in French, without subtitles.

Corvia

  • Participatory film directed by Joachin Guzman and Aurélia Pfend - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL - CVB
  • An open fridge 24/7.
  • An open wardrobe 2 times a week.
  • Not monetary transactions, but care and participation.

Buurtpensioen 1000 BXL -  Pens(i)ons quartier - community pension

  • Participatory film directed by Aurélia Pfend - 5 minutes - 2018 - BRAL - CVB
  • S such as Senior, but above all as 'Service et Solidarité'.
  • Entraided with a heart for the neighbors.

PaletActif

  • Participatory film directed by Manuel Hanot - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL - CVB
  • Commitment, solidarity, reup & sharing, horizontality, realistic dreams ... Actors of change!
  • A free furniture workshop, open to everyone, founded by sans-papiers.

Les Casseuses de Crise

  • Participatory film directed by Aurélia Pfend - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL - CVB
  • An alternative to a patriarchal, racist and capitalist system. A place for freedom and solidarity for women.

Dialogues and humanities/meetings in the park / EXCHANGES TO CHANGE THE WORLD

  • SATURDAY 30 JUNE
  • At 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. 
  • At Josaphat Park in Brussels
  • Location: La Laiterie

 

BRAL is an urban movement striving to make Brussels sustainable. Along with our members and partners we want to build an environmentally friendly, affordable and solidary city. BRAL organises actions, lobbies, supports citizens' initiatives and provides advice to the authorities. We work in the Brussels metropolitan region, in all its social and cultural diversity.

One of our priorities is better air quality for Brussels. The dissemination of accurate knowledge about this is crucial for our organisation. We take citizen science literally: not only do we train citizens to measure air quality scientifically. We also want to disseminate scientific knowledge to all citizens. This is the task for our new volunteer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a volunteer web editor NL/FR/EN, you publish the references to scientific publications on the Wikipedia page, starting with those from our publication.

REQUESTED QUALITIES

  • You have experience with publishing articles on Wikipedia
  • You have an eye for detail and can work accurately
  • You can easily handle a computer and type quickly
  • You are in touch with scientific documentation
  • You speak and read Dutch, English and French fluently
  • You are not afraid of repetitive work
  • You can make yourself available once a week in the months of July and/or August
  • You are in touch with the mission and vision of BRAL

WE OFFER

  • A volunteer fee of 30 euros for each day worked.
  • Flexible working hours
  • A job that will teach you a lot about air quality in Brussels
  • An enthusiastic and committed BRAL team
  • A cozy and bright office in the heart of Brussels

Working hours: We agree this together on the basis of your and our availability during office hours in July and August.

Location: Zaterdagplein 13, 1000 Brussels.

DOES THIS VOLUNTEER WORK APPEAL TO YOU?

Send us your CV and a short motivation by e-mail Tim Cassiers, tim@bral.brussels before Wednesday, July 4.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Contact Tim Cassiers at tim@bral.brussels or 02 217 56 33.

BRAL, les Casseuses de Crise, PaletActif, Buurtpensioen 1000 Brussel, Corvia & Centre Vidéo de Bruxelles present 4 participative short films: Selfcity, citizens' initiatives create well-being. The short movies are fully online on the Selfcity website.

Everywhere in Brussels, people come together to make life in the city more pleasant and sustainable. They help each other, create or repair objects, create services or manage goods or places that are accessible to the public. In this way, they offer an alternative to an economy where over-consumption and the collection of property are the norm. At the initiative of BRAL, 4 urban collectives (Corvia, Les Casseuses de Crise, PaletActif, Buurtpensioen 1000 BXL)  have filmed their parcours. Watch the short movies on the Selfcity website (http://www.selfcity.be/selfcity.html).

The 4 films have been recorded in French, without subtitles.

Corvia

  • Participatory film directed by Joachin Guzman and Aurélia Pfend - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL – CVB;
  • An open fridge 24/7;
  • An open wardrobe 2 times a week;
  • Not monetary transactions, but care and participation.

Buurtpensioen 1000 BXL -  Pens(i)ons quartier - community pension

  • Participatory film directed by Aurélia Pfend - 5 minutes - 2018 - BRAL – CVB;
  • S such as Senior, but above all as 'Service et Solidarité';
  • Entraided with a heart for the neighbors.

PaletActif

  • Participatory film directed by Manuel Hanot - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL – CVB;
  • Commitment, solidarity, reup & sharing, horizontality, realistic dreams ... Actors of change!
  • A free furniture workshop, open to everyone, founded by sans-papiers.

Les Casseuses de Crise

  • Participatory film directed by Aurélia Pfend - 6 minutes - 2018 - BRAL – CVB;
  • An alternative to a patriarchal, racist and capitalist system. A place for freedom and solidarity for women.

After 14 years, An has ended her adventure at BRAL. She fought for an affordable and environmentally friendly Brussels on the front line. Because of her knowledge of urban projects such as Thurn & Taxis, together with her diplomatic approach, she was not to be trifled with.

An isn’t the one to yell (the loudest), but those who know her, know she gets things done.

What is her legacy for Brussels in those fourteen years at BRAL? An put our diverse city and many aspects of urban life at the centre. It is in part thanks to her efforts that we will have a tram stopping at Thurn & Taxis in the (relatively near) future, that there is a pedestrian zone in the centre of Brussels city, that participation has been put to the fore in urban planning, … She also helped gain acceptance for the common management of real estate through Community Land Trust Brussels. All the while, she remained critical when the government translated urban planning into urban action. Without a doubt, she will follow the ‘richtplannen van aanleg’ from a short distance. And we at BRAL, will continue her work.

Participation was also a guiding principle for her as coordinator of our team. An was beloved as coordinator because she gave people a chance to experiment, to develop in dossiers and to grow as a person. She wasn’t afraid to let go in order to let bloom. It is for this reason that BRAL supports citizens’ initiatives. Her successor is currently unknown. Piet Van Meerbeek is ad interim coordinator. Soon we will release the vacancy for her position.

Every city dweller in general and urban activist in particular knows that dossiers in politics can accelerate suddenly after years of chilling in the freezer. While we wait and see how An will live that experience from the city hall, we wish her a fascinating time as head of cabinet at the city of Brussels. Her new colleagues are fortunate to have her. We hope that she will push forward towards a better air quality, an ambitious circulation plan and affordable housing for everyone. But most of all: we hope that she will continue to listen to the voices of citizens.

The team of BRAL

BRAL, Cosmopolis and a large academic and civic network organise the first Etat Généraux de l’air of Brussels. A moment to combine research, open data and citizenship, all in favor of clean and therefore healthy Brussels Air.  

This first ‘Etat Géneraux” takes place from Thursday the 25th till Saturday the 27th of April. It will be a gathering for all those who strive for better air quality in our capital. There will be room for discussion and cooperation, long term visions and solutions. The scientists will host the Resistance is in the air symposium, the 25th and 26th of April. A Hackathon will continually take place from 25 till 27 and the #BXLDemandsCleanAir movement have their very own day the 27th.  

BRAL wants to invite all citizens to #BXLDemandsCleanAir on 27th of April in the Pianofabriek. Come and present your initiative(s) or get to know those of others. This day ends with a political debate. Ask your questions and prepare yourself for a well informed vote in May. Because Brussels wants to breathe.

More info:

Contact:

  • Tim Cassiers, BRAL, tim[at]bral.brussels
  • Liévin Chemin, BRAL, lievin[at]bral.brussels
  • Nicola da Schio, VUB, ndaschio[at]vub.be