The Brussels Government has approved the draft of the Regional Urban Planning Regulation (RRU), which outlines new rules to transform public spaces and renovate or construct buildings in the capital.
First conceived as part of the “Good Living” initiative launched by the region's former Secretary of State for Urban Planning Pascal Smet, the text must now be reviewed by the Council of State before returning to government.
The definitive adoption of the legislation largely depends on the Council’s feedback, specifically whether a public consultation is necessary to agree on the changes.
According to the office of current Secretary of State Ans Persoons, the final incarnation of “Good Living” should be approved before the summer and would become effective from 1 September 2025. An intensive training period would be organised for the municipal and regional officials charged with enforcing the new rules.
The document adopted by the Brussels Government takes into account feedback from municipal consultation and experts, as well as crucial input from Brussels residents regarding the previous draft.
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Among the changes, the new version of the text now makes a clear distinction between ordinary housing and co-living, to avoid an unwanted proliferation of co-living.
The need for natural light in the stairwells of collective buildings has been removed though every newly constructed house will need a terrace.
Regarding road safety, parking within 5 meters of public facility entrances remains banned. Angular and perpendicular parking on roads will only be permitted if the manoeuvre can be made safely.
