15 Jan '14

Brussels’ Jourdanplein could become car-free by 2016

Summary

The mayor of the district of Etterbeek wants Jourdanplein in the EU quarter to become a car-free square with extended terraces, trees and fountains

Same proposal failed 10 years ago

Jourdanplein in the capital’s EU district could be turned into a car-free square by 2016, according to Vincent De Wolf, the mayor of the Etterbeek district, who has launched a public inquiry to discuss his administration’s proposals for transforming the popular square.
 

If it gets planning approval, the council plans to turn the square into a car-free open space with fountains and trees, similar to Flageyplein in Elsene. It also wants to extend restaurant and café terraces and build a modern pavilion for the famous Maison Antoine frituur, which is located on the square.

The main opposition comes from businesses that are afraid that customers will stay away if there is nowhere to park. The council has plans to divert traffic to a little-used underground car park nearby on Maalbeeklaan.

The district had submitted a proposal to make the square car-free some 10 years ago, but it ran into various problems and was eventually abandoned. The latest Jourdanplein plan comes soon after Brussels City announced an ambitious project to ban cars from Beursplein and possibly also the Zavel square in the antique district.

It appears that leaders are considering a new direction for transport and pedestrians, though it is far too early to say whether any of the plans will be realised.         

Photo by Mike Procario/flickr

Etterbeek mayor is pushing for Jourdanplein in EU quarter to become a car-free square.

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