Residents of the Tour & Taxis neighbourhood in the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean have taken creative action to prevent cars from parking on the pedestrian crossing any longer, with flower beds and a swing installed to reclaim the space.
The activist citizens' movement Filter Café Filtré created a flowerbed with a swing for children next to it in Rue Picard after gaining the approval of Brussels Mobility. This now stops motorists from parking close to (or even on) the pedestrian crossing on the corner of the street – which is prohibited but happens regularly.
"From this weekend, the crossing in Rue Picard is really safe thanks to a garden with a swing that slows down motorists," the activists wrote on social media. "Come and get the last free sand for your own balcony or garden today!"
The committee hopes to make the neighbourhood safer and greener and plans more such interventions. Many local residents and the children of the Maritime District contributed to the initiative.
