- Daily & Weekly newsletters
- Buy & download The Bulletin
- Comment on our articles
Brussels seeks ideas to breathe new life into 10 neighbourhoods
Brussels has issued a call for projects that breathe new life into 10 neighbourhoods, with up to €30,000 available to the winning project in each area as decided in a public vote.
The initiative, called Make.Brussels, aims to strengthen community spirit and a sense of identity in areas ranging from Rue Neuve and Sainte-Catherine to the Sablon and the area around the Gare du Midi.
Among the ideas submitted so far include the commissioning of new street-art murals in the Sainte-Catherine neighbourhood, wifi-enabled picnic benches for co-workers in Dansaert, open-air cinema on the Mont des Arts and erecting an overhead welcome sign on the approach to Saint-Géry, similar to that seen at the entrance to Carnaby Street in London.
The deadline for submitting ideas is 5 May and the public voting runs from 9-20 May, with up to three projects shortlisted in each neighbourhood.
The 10 districts covered are Notre-Dame-aux-Neiges, Dansaert, Grand-Place, Marolles, Midi-Lemonnier, Mont des Arts, Rue Neuve, Sablon, Saint-Jacques and Sainte-Catherine.
The winning projects will be turned into a reality in the second half of this year, working with local traders' associations.
Comments
I am not opposed to rejuvenating these areas. HOWEVER, a month ago I was walking around these areas and noted almost ALL street murals are now covered in graffiti. This is a true shame and shows more than a lack of civility. One used to be able to take a tour of street murals but probably no longer. If the city wants to rejuvenate these neighborhoods, the city must install CCTV cameras to protect these investments and catch the culprits. Otherwise, nothing will change. Therefore, until no CCTV, I would oppose street murals of any kind.