In Building for Brussels, the reflection takes another turn: by looking into the challenges that Brussels is facing, the exhibition is grounded in harsh reality. The booming population, the shortage of public infrastructure, a dazzling unemployment rate, daily traffic problems and the never-ending political conflicts are put under the spotlight.

Due to the lack of 21st-century architectural answers in our own capital, Building for Brussels looks to European cities which dealt with similar issues in an architectural way. Madrid, Paris, Basel, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Rotterdam are perfect study cases as they followed a hands-on policy, making architecture and city planning more than just aesthetics. Instead they used these powerful tools to tackle their urban challenges.

One concern facing Madrid was its extensive population growth. Just like Brussels, it encountered a steep population growth in the beginning of the last decade. Instead of building grey cardboard blocks, Madrid used the housing shortage as an opportunity to design high-quality homes. For this, it relied on international renowned architects such as Office Architects or MVRVD. And while both offices dealt differently with the task, they provided strong architectural landmarks. This did not only give a face to the district, but also stimulated the private sector to ignite further development in the district.

But what's the use of new social housing if its population doesn't have the means to maintain it? With unemployment rates rocketing in Brussels, the local economic activity needs reinvention. This not only demands education and training, but also the creation of new jobs. One of the exhibited scale models deals with this problem in a specific way. Zurich architecture firm EM2N drew up a solution by transforming a 500 meter-long railway viaduct into a marketplace. Not only has this city barrier been transformed into a connecting element, it also includes a place to stimulates new creative and commercial activities. Zurich ́s first indoor market is the perfect example of how urban development with well-considered architecture can go hand in hand with strengthening the local economy.

The places in Brussels that could be perfectly served for similar projects (think Schaerbeek Formation marshalling yard, Tour & Taxis and the Canal Zone) are another issue. As is often the case in Brussels, political interference is never far away. While other cities in Europe have been working to transform their urban fabric for some decades, Brussels is hobbling along behind. The office buildings spread around the city's communes still reflect an old ambition rather than showing that Brussels wants to strengthen its international position by organising its transformation into a harmonious service city where people live, work and visit.

Maybe the less-known European city of Tirana, capital of Albania, is a perfect case study for Brussels. Still bearing strong traces of the former Communist government, it recruited French architecture firm Architecture Studio to design a plan to restore coherence in the urban fabric. Surprisingly, a Brussels-based architecture office is to construct the first tower. The firm 51N4E has drawn a tower which stands as a symbol of the transformation of the city: a rectangle that gradually converts into an ellipse. This project is a gigantic undertaking that focuses on the development of a compact, sustainable and vibrant city with mixed functions. Just like Brussels deserves to be.

All these examples are vividly shown in the exhibition with impressive models, magazine-worthy pictures and complex blueprints. The setup, which is divided into five rooms, makes it clear that this exhibition is an exercise directed at Brussels ́ inhabitants and policymakers. It ́s supported by several movies, including a visit to one of the projects, with commentary from experts. Emir Kir, the Brussels Secretary of State for Planning, is presenting this exhibition just like Charles Piqué delivered the opening speech for A Vision for Brussels. The question is whether we will ever have such a project built in Brussels and to whom the credits will go?

Building for Brussels
Until 28 November
Bozar
Ravensteinstraat 23, Brussels
www.bozar.be