Abstract
A cooperative planning approach to create a new urban oasis Since 2014, the Brussels Capital Region (BCR) identifies the former barrack in Ixelles as a big urban opportunity at the heart of the Region. The site, a 4 ha military barrack built in 1906 was until 2018 an enclosed place for the Belgian military police. After a first masterplanning process, the Regional Government selected the site as priority development pole. It concluded agreements with the federal state to acquire the place and with 2 major universities to develop a new sustainable district based on existing buildings. Since 2020, a comprehensive and flexible masterplan, sets limits to the land development combining regulatory components with strategic ones. A district that cares for the planet and unlocks people and mindsets A low carbon place to change minds and behaviors The planning process converts a rainproof site with soil pollution into a renewed place. The public developer studies the best way to realize, as planned, streets and places with swales. The masterplan pays attention to climate crisis and sets guidelines. For instance, in the following years, an upgrade of the existing buildings will provide high efficiency in materials and consumptions. New buildings for dwellings will also have green rooftops. Moreover, the whole site will be car-free which will incentivize the use of bike, public transit and the train station and therefore cut further the GHG emission. A resilient place thanks to numerous activities and people along the day The Usquare project will bring the concept of resilience in Brussels Region to another level. It will be a lighthouse project to foster a change in mindset in urban design. Indeed a linear vision planning-construction-use-demolition is not the planning track chosen. The reuse of existing buildings for new use, resilience thanks to numerous purpose, the place given to commons at a human scale are the key to this new urban deal. The region also aims to bring a citizen-centered approach to urban planning by opening USquare to the wider public. Indeed, a temporary occupation “See U” launches the re-opening of the site since 2019. Despite COVID-crisis, See-U continued to welcome neighbors, academics, consumers (food market, events) from the whole Region and beyond. Moreover, the masterplan secures this mixing of users and of uses. The student accommodation (about 500 rooms), the 120 public-operated dwellings will coexist with the already running or forthcoming academic amenities (fab-lab, researchers hostel, international student desk, interpretive center) retails and new public spaces. A district that tests the concepts of sustainability at a local scale At last, Usquare gives a place and life to some concepts of sustainability. For instance, studies and the ongoing construction prepare the spread of circular economy applied to construction. Indeed, as most of the buildings have a cultural and historical value, the developer just upgrades them. The few new buildings will upcycle the raw materials coming from demolished part or obsolete buildings. Thus the project not only reduces the footprint but also develops an example for the whole real-estate stakeholders. Food is also a main driver to implement Circular Economy and Essential Economy in Usquare. Organizations and / or community might grow vegetables on green rooftops, some areas within the public and open spaces. The food market and the handcrafted activities, especially in the renewed merry-go-round might process or direct sell this food to inhabitants. The Usquare project tests new ways to plan, new ways to study and build, new ways to use in Brussels in a more resilient, nature and people-friendly approach.
