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Theme

Brussels offers its inhabitants every opportunity 

Brussels is a region that helps its inhabitants by offering them opportunities for development and social advancement. Sound education, economic development, employment and social redistribution are therefore crucial. The wealth or income differences between people are small. Everyone can afford decent and suitable housing. The right to housing takes precedence over the right to private property.

Brussels is a compact and green city

Brussels is a city that, to accommodate population growth, has been densified in a thoughtful and high-quality manner. Vacant buildings have disappeared. Some undeveloped areas have been given new housing, commerce, employment and services. Other zones or places have become urban nature. Buildings and nature are intertwined everywhere. The green spaces form a network, with the aim of optimal movement of cool and pure air to the buildings and maximum biodiversity.

Brussel is a heterogenous city

Brussels mixes social classes and functions. There are no major social differences between neighbourhoods, no mono-functional zones, and even at the building level, various functions coexist as much as possible. Every district has proportional access to public amenities, clean air, …

Brussels moves sustainably

Brussels is a city where residents and users - including the less mobile - can move around easily and in an environmentally friendly way. Thanks to the proximity of functions, everyone can easily make most journeys on foot or by bicycle. For the few longer distances, fast bicycle axes and high-quality environmentally friendly public transportation exist around the clock. Everything is produced close by, not at the other end of the world. Products are transported by high-performance and environmentally friendly freight. Car use has decreased and, as a result, the city's inhabitants and users have reappropriated public space and filled it in with greenery and recreation.

Brussels is less dependent on fossil fuels 

Brussels is a city that radically saves energy, both electricity and heat. Brussels generates its own electricity, in a multitude of small, green power sources. This energy is distributed through an efficient network. The air of Brussels gets cleaner at the same time.

Brussel produces less waste

Brussels is a city that produces less waste. Residents and users consume much less and all materials and products are composted or reused. Resources are also used sparingly. Water is purified and reused as much as possible.

Brussel is a creative city

Brussels is an ambitious, creative and dynamic city . Innovative ideas and initiatives about making and managing the city, about ecology, art and architecture are given the necessary space to develop. They get full support by policymakers.

Brussels is a cocreatieve city

Brussels carries cocreation at the heart of its policy. All public services, inhabitants and users of the city participate and cooperate in all phases of the policy: preparation, implementation, follow-up and evaluation. The government works as integrated as possible, even across regional borders.

BRAL, January 2011

BRAL as a movement 

As an association of residents' groups, organisations and Brussels residents, it is important that BRAL first and foremost supports its supporters and members who advocate a sustainable Brussels. BRAL therefore supports and empowers residents. BRAL's actions and positions are also shaped and implemented in consultation and dialogue with our members and supporters. We advocate a participative policy, so we encourage as much participation as possible from our members and supporters internally. 

This requires openness and a clear presence on the ground. Only in this way can we timely detect and strengthen new dynamics and trends.

 In addition, BRAL is constantly working on a network of urban actors of all kinds, such as academics, private players, residents, study agencies, civil society organisations, etc. Together with them, too, we build a sustainable city. 

BRAL as a government interlocutor 

BRAL is officially recognised as an interlocutor with the Brussels regional government. BRAL is a member of the Regional Mobility Commission, the Regional Environment Council and the Federal Council for Sustainable Development. In these advisory committees, we invariably defend our vision. 

In addition, as experts, we also advise various government institutions in round tables, parliamentary or other working groups, guidance committees and other formally provided consultations. 

Even when consultations are not formally organised, we make ourselves heard by policymakers in various ways . The use of a mix of means is essential here. Public actions and press releases go hand in hand with participation in advisory committees, but also with personal contacts with policy-makers at different levels. You cannot build a city from a trench position alone. Transparency and open dialogue between different parties involved is imperative. 

BRAL as a knowledge and innovation pool 

To be a relevant interlocutor of the government and to support residents in their struggle, it is important to be aware of the latest plans and projects, but also of academic studies, concepts and projects of other urban actors. And this at the Brussels, Flemish, and Belgian as well as European level. BRAL exchanges knowledge together with Brussels, Belgian and international partners. BRAL also disseminates its knowledge to its members and wider network through various means of communication.

The challenges facing Brussels today are such that we need to work out new concepts, new ways of developing our city and therefore to innovate constantly. And Brussels is buzzing with innovation. BRAL wants to be open to this, encourage cross-pollinations and also create space internally to innovate own actions and projects.

The support we get from our members is the main thrust of BRAL. BRAL has two types of members: supporting members and general assembly members. Supporting members believe in our vision, are happy to come to a (member) activity without obligation to join in discussions or support an action, but do not necessarily feel the need to get involved in BRAL as an organisation. Becoming a supporting member is very easy! 

Members of the general assembly take a greater commitment to the organisation. They want to help set BRAL's course. BRAL's general assembly meets at least twice a year. Last but not least, there are the unpaid volunteers of BRAL's board of directors, they run the non-profit organisation. 

Board of directors 

The board of directors, composed of at least five and at most thirteen directors, manages BRAL. The general assembly appoints the board. The chairman of the general assembly is also chairman of the board of directors. Our directors perform their duties free of charge. 

This is the composition of our current board of directors (since January 2020): 

  • Tom Lootens (chairman) 

  • Gaëtan Van der Smissen (treasurer) 

  • Ginette Bauwens 

  • Sarah Hollander 

  • Patrick Deboosere 

  • Kriestien Van den Houte 

  • Jean-Pol Van Steenberghe 

General assembly 

BRAL is proud that these members are part of our general assembly (since 12/2022): 

  • Ploef! (Indira Osumba) 

  • Pro Velo (Jasmina Fiase) 

  • Vereniging Leopoldswijk en Europese wijk van Brussel vzw (Renée Coen) 

  • walk.brussels vzw 

  • Wijkcomité Neerpede blijft! (Johan Van Waeyenberge en Steven De Ridder) 

  • Ginette Bauwens 

  • Liévin Chemin 

  • Etienne Christiaens 

  • Mie Demin 

  • Pierre Demol 

  • Luk De Raeve 

  • Patrick Deboosere 

  • Hans Eelens 

  • Nicolas Goubau 

  • Christine Goyens-Le Maire 

  • Sarah Hollander 

  • Tom Lootens 

  • Albert Martens 

  • Christian Pollok 

  • Fabien Stiénon 

  • Thierry Timmermans 

  • Anton Van Assche 

  • Kriestien Van Den Houte 

  • Gaëtan Van der Smissen 

  • Hanne Van Reusel 

  • Georges Vanhamme 

  • Jean-Pol Van Steenberghe 

  • Sofie Vermeulen 

  • Gudrun Willems 

News of a large margin of tolerance for the respect of the 30 km/h speed limit is discrediting this important policy. A coalition of citizen associations engaged in road safety demands a clear message on City 30 and asks to support it by educational, infrastructural, and enforcement measures: they are key to the effective improvement of the safety of all road users.

At the beginning of this year, a new law came into force in Brussels: 30 km/h became the general speed limit throughout the Region. This is good news for all road users. According to the European Transport Safety Council, establishing a 30 km/h zone is the most effective way of improving road safety. It reduces the risk of a car colliding with a pedestrian considerably. The consequences of any collision are less severe when a vehicle is travelling at 30 km/h rather than 50 km/h. A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 50 km/h is 5 times more likely to die than a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30 km/h. 

Our coalition is grateful that policymakers have decided to implement this rule. However, a few issues still need to be resolved. 

According to press reports, enforcement action will only be taken in respect of vehicles travelling at 47 km/h or more. This lenient approach is apparently a temporary measure, while people get used to the new speed limit. It is unfortunate that this message was spread, because it gives the impression that the speed limit does not need to be respected yet. However, speeding continues to put the lives of people living in Brussels at risk. If we want to improve road safety, the message has to be clear and understood by everyone. 

The city-wide 30 km/h speed limit must not be an empty gesture. “Without enforcement, policy instruments are merely wind instruments” (Marie Jacuzzi in Apolitical). Allowing people to drive at 46 km/h without any consequences is unacceptable. It goes against the ethos of a city-wide 30 km/h speed limit. 

This rule needs to be backed up by proper enforcement and other measures. 

  • In terms of enforcement, we want the capacity for law enforcement and judicial follow-up to increase. Some police zones are starting to confiscate cars of reckless drivers more often. We want to see this trend generalised across the Region. After imposing a general zone 30, we can reasonably expect a temporary increase in infractions- and tickets and fines. Therefore, more capacity needs to be made available. Once mindsets have adjusted to the City 30, these numbers will fall, and police and judicial force can be used for other matters.
  • Other methods can also be used to enforce the law. We ask for increased vigilance during school drop-off and pick-up times. When installed a short distance before mobile speed radars, mobile speed displays allow drivers to be warned that the rule is about to be enforced.
  • Education has a key role to play in developing a safety culture. This involves more than just teaching “self-defence” tactics for surviving in traffic. At all ages, people need to be informed and educated about the need for slow and careful driving, its advantages, and current road safety principles (such as “roads are for everybody”). In this way, we can motivate people to take part in creating a new culture of road safety where everyone understands that the road has to be shared.
  • Improved road layouts to both slow down traffic and change the physical appearance of streets are important measures to reduce speed and improve safety. While the number of collisions falls by 10% when a 30 km/h speed limit is imposed without any changes to road layout, the number of collisions falls by up to 60% when the road layout is changed (Dirk Lauwers, Bruzz). Making public space into a more welcoming environment for people is the larger vision in which City 30 is but one measure.

In conclusion, a combination of stricter enforcement, improved road layouts and enhanced education is crucial for improving road safety. Our coalition is committed to road safety of all Brussels road users. We kindly offer the authorities our help to inform the public about the city-wide 30 km/h speed limit and its benefits for safer streets, while we keep monitoring the proper implementation and enforcement of this rule. We hope to see clear communication from now on and appropriate accompanying measures, such as prevention and infrastructure to guarantee more road safety in Brussels.

 Signatories

BRAL – EUCG – Filter Café Filtré Atelier – Fietsersbond – GRACQ-Les Cyclistes Quotidiens – Heroes for Zero – Johanna.be – Pro Velo – Walk Brussels

 Press contacts

  • Tim Cassiers, BRAL (NL + EN) - 0476 449 223
  • Lieselotte Gevens, Fietsersbond (NL + EN) - 0471 49 63 76
  • Matteo Manzonetto, Oliver KOZAK, EUCG (EN) 0472 306 074

Press review

The Bulletin

BRAL and other environmental NGOs found some pitfalls in the digitalization agenda for a green transition of the EU.

Who would have ever expected that the speeches by Ursula von der Leyen about the Green Deal sometimes sound as if written by the environmental movement? The EU has the explicit ambition to be the world’s leading region on sustainable development. The new digitalization agenda aims for a green transition. As an environmental movement, BRAL wonders: is this too good to be true?

A digital Europe as a lever for the green transition

A digital Europe was one of the pillars of the last German EU Presidency. It resulted in the adoption of new Council conclusions for a digital transformation and a green transition in December 2020. In a recent stakeholder event organized by the Belgian ‘Coordination Committee for International Environment Policy’, speakers from among others the German Presidency, the Commission, and the regional level explained the context and results of these Council conclusions. BRAL and fellow environmental NGOs pointed at some possible pitfalls in this happy-go-lucky story.

The goals of the agenda sound wonderful. A “right to repair” that ensures that ordinary citizens can make use of spare parts, repair guides, repair services, … A “product passport” to track environmental footprints, availability of spare parts, and information on extended producer responsibility, … Those are some of the principles of a new digitalization agenda for the benefit of the environment. Until recently, the EU agenda did not fully integrate what is necessary for a green transition and digitalization. The Council decided that from now on, this has to change. The EU wants to address the challenges of both needs and use digital solutions as levers for a green transition. The representative from DG Connect of the Commission, Ilias Iakovidis, talks of a “holistic view”. The agenda has to ensure that it is beneficial for social, economic, and environmental issues. In addition, if we add the baseline “leave no one behind” that stands at the core of the Green Deal, then the symphony comes near to music from heaven.

However, what does this mean in practice? Lakovidis admits that we need to ask ourselves first if ICT is a solution or a problem. What is the footprint of it? The energy consumption is huge, but the industry is working towards less energy consumption. It is in their financial interest to do so.

We need to ask ourselves first if ICT is a solution or a problem. – Ilias Iakovidis, DG Connect

Nonetheless, we need to take into account that a small device such as a laptop or smartphone, consumes the bulk of its energy during its production phase. According to Iakovidis, we should be more concerned with the consumption of resources. The industry makes money by selling more and more products; therefore, they tend to consume more and more materials. Iakovidis: “We need to make sure that there are business models about services too. We need a right to repair and the right to upgrade.”

Joachim D’Eugenio, of DG Environment: “In the enviro-sector, we’re not very good in following innovative developments like Artificial Intelligence. There is a lot to learn. We did not have a systemic understanding. We need to look at opportunities and risks.  Digitalization is the tool; the purpose is the Green Deal.”

D’Eugenio and Iakovidis point at several opportunities. For instance, if we can reduce congestions by using smart mobility solutions, we could reduce air pollution.  Ways big data could help there is by smart traffic lights that turn green when a buss approaches, booking a spot on a bridge, an app that can guide you to the best mobility service for your trajectory, … In farming, we can reduce the use of pesticides. Djida Bounazef and Fanny Deliège, of the ‘Agence du Numérique de la Wallonie’, add other examples. Wallonia has identified a great number of possible actions that are linked with digitalization, e.g. traffic control centers to improve mobility, earth observation for the benefit of biodiversity …

Beware of the pitfalls!

Although supporters of digitalization frequently emphasize its enabling potential to solve environmental problems, some stakeholders respond that it remains unclear whether positive indirect environmental impacts can outweigh the negative direct ones.

Among the negative ones there is off course climate impact but also less investigated environmental categories such as resource depletion, water, land use, and biodiversity. Someone adds that the problem of 5G is that it will allow and push for increased data flows causing more energy consumption. Is the potential of big data to reduce traffic jams great enough to solve the question of increasing energy consumption and resource depletion?

To steer digitalization in a sustainable direction, efficiency gains must not be overcompensated by increases in energy and resource consumption caused by economic growth.

Efficiency gains may not lead to overconsumption of energy and resources.

Another reacts, somewhat sarcastically, that it is nice to hear that digitalization is a tool and not an objective, that green criteria will be established. Nevertheless, the reality is that technology and innovation will always be ahead of the norms and regulations and that we have to systematically compete with the US and China. Can we trust the EU to treat innovation as a tool and not as a goal as such? Will the Commission reject an investment in digital if it does not have a positive environmental and social impact?

Can we trust the EU to treat innovation as a tool and not as a goal as such?

The discussion is not just about energy or resources. BRAL would not be BRAL without starting a discussion on the impact of (mostly expensive) digitalization on democratic control and the ownership of products and services. We have plenty of questions. Who will own these goods and services in the future? Will small farmers, neighborhoods, patients, schools... have access and if so, on what terms? Who will have control over data, production processes, design, ...? BRAL is concerned that disruptive innovations might amount to more monopolies and that authorities might lose democratic control on resources or the economic system. Does the Commission address these questions?

BRAL is concerned that disruptive innovations might amount to more monopolies and that authorities might lose democratic control on resources or business models.

What is on the table is a start

In their answers, the representatives of the Commission tried to make us look at the glass as half full. They told us we needed to recognize where we came from. Five years ago, these sorts of questions did not even resonate within the EU. The economy was everything and the collateral effect was less important. Now, these questions are on the table. We should all be encouraged to start engaging in this process.

About ownership, Iakovidis answers: digitalization could help a farmer to stop buying pesticides. He could instead make use of the service of a company to treat his land. The question we ask ourselves is: will he own the data himself so that he can go to another company? Shall he in any way co-own the process? The outcome will depend on many factors. “If there is the finance for the net positive, the positive will prevail,” he adds.

But what if one cannot make profit out of the necessary solutions? Who will finance it then? Will the Commission make sure that Planet and People will prevail above profit? The way we use digital tools and services thus raises many questions. It is therefore too soon to call the EU a champion of digital sustainable development. In our view, it is time the Commission starts a broad debate about the need for new technological developments. Do they really make us smarter, more social and more sustainable in the long run?

You can read more on the Green Deal and the opportunities for a sustainable transition that come with it, via the following links:   

The confex (conference & exhibition) ‘Spaces of Possibility’ puts the spotlights on resilient and resourceful communities from the 7th until the 11th of June 2021 in Brussels, Belgium. The event brings together local inhabitants and researchers, practitioners, artists and policy makers from across the world for an inspiring exchange of experiences with community-driven transformations. The confex merges a conference and an exhibition into an interactive event. The exhibition ‘Spaces of Possibility’ showcases compelling stories about communities and environments in transformation as well as the struggles and successes that they encounter.

The event creates an opportunity to travel around the world and explore the transformative power of communities via interactive installations. Express your values through the shape of a bike’s handlebar. Learn about the aspirations of rural communities in China and Japan which often go unheard. Shine a light on the fading industrial spaces in Scotland. And reflect about your own efforts to transform the world. But watch out for the three-headed monster of bureaucracy!

The exhibition takes place in and around the Parckfarm, situated in the park Thurn & Taxis of Brussels. It opens on Monday 7th of June at noon and closes on Friday 11th of June. The exhibition is free of charge and welcomes all curious minds. For more information and regular updates vis-à-vis COVID19, please check the website.

The confex sprouts from the RECOMS project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 765389.

Man, plant and animal are at stake on the Brussels Josaphat site

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".

He 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. 

"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, an urban movement for Brussels.

"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 and associations who are committed today to protect the Friche Josaphat are not doing so because they are against politics. On the contrary, says David Van Reybrouck. "They 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."

 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.
 

Note for the journalist

Press contact: 

  • Natagora: Amandine Tiberghien, 02 893 09 25 (FR + EN)
  • BRAL: Steyn Van Assche, 0498 13 25 86 (NL + EN)

Signed by:

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 

Documentation

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?

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