The Brussels municipality of Saint-Gilles has received an urban development licence to make Square Jacques Franck – where a series of shootings took place last year – safer and pleasanter.
The area around the Square Jacques Franck in the Midi neighbourhood in Saint-Gilles has regularly been in the news negatively in recent months, due to ongoing social and drug consumption issues. As part of the solution to improve the situation in the neighbourhood and make it pleasanter for local residents, Saint-Gilles is investing in the public space.
"The Brussels-Midi district has a lot of challenges. There are no silver bullets, but quality public space makes residents appreciate and reappropriate their city more," said Brussels State Secretary Ans Persoons (Vooruit).
For her, the Midi and Northern districts are the priority zones for urban development in Brussels in the coming years. "This project by the municipality of Saint-Gilles ensures that this part of the Midi district becomes pleasanter for young and old and that is a big step towards a better and safer district."
Essential for well-being
The planned works on and around the square and adjacent streets (Rue Vlogaert, Rue Fontainas and Rue César Depaepe) is the first concrete realisation of the Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract Midi. Through various interventions in the neighbourhood, Saint-Gilles is fully committed to liveability, safety and greening of the public space in the Midi neighbourhood.
This project is the result of extensive active participation with residents and associations using the square. The municipality will now select a suitable contractor, after which the work will start in early 2026. In the next phase, the Rue Claes and Rue Feron will also get a thorough makeover. The design for this was recently selected by the municipality of Saint-Gilles in collaboration with the Brussels Master Builder.
"In the built-up and densely populated Midi district, quality open space is essential for the well-being and quality of life of residents," said Saint-Gilles city councillor Willem Stevens (Vooruit). "Square Jacques Franck has a lot of potential but also a lot of problems and limitations."
"With a few targeted improvements that we drew up together with local residents and with young people and children – both boys and girls – Square Jacques Francks can once again become a pleasant place for everyone," he added.
Perimeter of the area and planned planting.
The project redesigns the stretch between the intersection of Rue Vlogaert and Rue Emile Feron, and the entrance to the Porte de Halle metro with punctual interventions aimed at giving the neighbourhood back to its inhabitants.
Specifically, the Square Jacques Franck will be partially softened to make way for more trees and nature. There will be new benches and picnic tables and more opportunities for play and sports. In Rue César Depaepe, wider pavements and more planting will be provided. La Rue Fontainas will also have more natural zones with play elements for children.
The bicycle and pedestrian crossing via Rue Vlogaert will become safer and more comfortable. The part of the Rue Vlogaert next to the sports field will be permanently closed to car traffic. There will be a meandering, natural path, with a width of 2 metres.
This is supposed to encourage soft mobility but limit the excessive speed of cyclists and possibly scooters. At the same time, connections will be provided for cyclists via alternative routes.
