Debate heating up surrounding Brussels pedestrian zone

The plan to close Brussels' downtown core around the Bourse and Place De Brouckere is attracting as many ideas as criticism as to how best to make it work. A long debate ensued on Monday night during a Brussels municipal meeting that focused on making sure that the proposed pedestrian zone is implemented to ensure traffic continues to run smoothly and that local residents are not affected.

Concerns regarding the no car zone's size are a major area of discussion. Some politicians would like to see the zone expanded to preserve the downtown residential elements by moving vehicle traffic away from the centre. City planners have on the other hand voiced their concerns over the creation of traffic congestion by keeping the zone small, due to the many small streets in the area.