New “green” and “inclusive” upgrade for Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains planned for 2027

Downtown Brussels square Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains is set for a major overhaul next year. The City has applied for planning permission to redesign the park area so that it offers more space for trees, sport and inclusive socialising.

A new light sculpture, Midnight Sun, also features in the redesign of the urban space just off Rue Antoine Dansaert,

“The square will be planted with more vegetation to increase biodiversity, to reduce urban heat islands and to improve rainwater permeability, with particular attention paid to preserving the existing trees,” the City of Brussels has announced on its website.

“Car access will be redesigned to allow for new pedestrian-centred activities (picnics, games, rest areas). A balance between entertainment and peace and quiet for local residents will be sought. An artistic intervention reflecting the identity of the neighbourhood will also take shape in the square.”

Specifically, the City plans to add swings, a water fountain feature and space for table tennis, pétanque and informal play activities in addition to the existing basketball court, which currently dominates the square. There will also be new benches, tables and seating furniture around existing trees and a canopy set up for shelter from the rain and sun.

City of Brussels councillor responsible for urban planning and public space Anaïs Maes (Vooruit) said that the aim of the project is to “turn the square into an attractive and versatile meeting place where everyone feels welcome and safe,” reports Bruzz.

Reconstruction work is scheduled to start in autumn 2027. The square will be made greener with 16 new trees to accompany the 60 already in place, as well as new grassy and planted areas. Maes commented that the mix of tree species will “enable more variety and help turn the square into an oasis of shade and coolness”.

In particular, Maes wants to make the square more attractive to women and girls, “so they also find their place…” Benches have been “deliberately designed in different shapes and sizes, so there are more possibilities for people to sit alone or together.”

The City also wants the square to feel pleasant and safe in the evening, notably by installing more lighting.

Flemish artist duo Daems Van Remoortere [Lena Daems and Frederik van Remoortere], famous for large kinetic installations, will play their part here too with a new light sculpture Midnight Sun.

Consisting of a large and luminous 15x10m ring, that will be illuminated at night with LED lights, Maes says this will become a new landmark – not only for the square, but also for the whole of Brussels.

Photo: ©Fallow Basil Descheemaeker