The Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek is set to redevelop several key areas – such as the main square and several avenues – to include a new bicycle path network and more green spaces, with works due to start next year.
One aspect of the redevelopment focuses on Place de la Reine, the famous square at the Schaerbeek end of Rue Royal next to Saint Mary's Royal Church. It has the potential to be a relaxing meeting place for locals, however, in its current form that puts the passage of public transport and cars first, is not very welcoming.
"The square is centrally located in Schaerbeek but is underused. We want to make this a safe and accessible meeting place, for all users, and certainly for families in the neighbourhood," said Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt.
Under plans for the redevelopment of the area, the square will be brought to life, while the streets branching out in various directions from the square will be made safer and greener.
Fewer cars, more people
The project will take charge over the entire square, along Rue Royale between Rue Cornet de Grez and Rue du Mail and part of Rue Dupont, Rue du Mail and Rue de Beughem, and will transform the forecourt of the church into a meeting area, a 'City Salon'.
The space will become more inclusive, as the design will pay specific attention to women and children to ensure they feel welcome and safe here. On the square, the pavements will be widened and separated from the roadway by plants.
Green spaces will also provide more visible connections to the existing green spaces in the neighbourhood, such as the Parc Reine-Verte behind the church and the House of Arts garden.
View of the church from Rue Royal, which will be made more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. Credit: Brussels Mobility
Plans will also revise the existing public transport stops, which currently take up a lot of space on and around the square. They will instead be grouped in Rue Royale, between Rue Cornet de Grez and Rue du Mail.
The number of car lanes will also be reduced to make the crossing of tram tracks safer. According to Brussels Mobility, this will free up space for bicycle paths on the square.
Meanwhile, car movements will become more restricted. All parking spaces on the square will also be removed, and replaced by parking spaces for bicycles, shared cars and shared steps.
Converting key boulevards
The request for planning permission will also include the redesign of Boulevard Wahis and Boulevard Lambermont, which connects Place Meiser to Parc Josaphat. "These wide avenues will also become safer and more comfortable for pedestrians," said Van den Brandt.
Brussels Mobility will create two-way bicycle lanes connected to the various regional cycling routes. By doing so, it is making the temporary bicycle infrastructure created in 2020 permanent.
Some streets will also be transformed into so-called bicycle streets, which are low-speed streets optimised for bicycle traffic but where cars are still allowed to ride. "There will also be 118 bicycle parking spaces and 16 drop zones for shared vehicles, one every 200 metres," said Brussels Mobility.
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Changes will be made to traffic directions to discourage non-local traffic passing through the area, while pavements will be made wider and will be divided from the main road by green verges. Crossings will be made safer and the area will be made more accessible for people with mobility impairment.
Finally, a new green meeting space and rain garden will be constructed to the north of Parc Josaphat. Brussels Mobility will apply for planning permission for the project this month with the aim of starting the work in the second half of 2024.
