Brussels to spend €33 million on pedestrian zone
The city, region and Beliris will share the cost of beautifying the new pedestrian zone along Anspachlaan, with trees, smart rubbish bins, fast and slow walking lanes, artwork, new seating and games
Completion due in 2018
Beliris, the federal funding organ for the capital, will carry most of the burden, reported to be €20 million. That money will be spent on the redesign of the central avenue, Anspachlaan, and the squares at De Brouckère, Beurs and Fontainas. Some side streets will also be included. The avenue will be laid out mainly in the limestone known in Belgium as blue stone. Where the underground permits, there will also be trees planted and “pocket parks” installed.
The boulevard will be divided into three along its length. In the centre, a lane will be reserved for cyclists and pedestrians passing through. Two outer lanes will be for slower-moving pedestrians, seating, tables, terraces and games. Rubbish bins will be equipped with wifi to send a signal when they are full and have to be emptied.
Brussels region’s mobility division will contribute €7 million to the renovation of pre-metro stations De Brouckère, Beurs and Anneessens.
Brussels-City, meanwhile, will contribute €6 million for what is expected to be a monumental artwork to stand on De Brouckèreplein. Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur has already been in talks with sculptor Anish Kapoor, but nothing has been decided yet. The necessary permits will be applied for at the end of this month. The works will begin with utilities, and are due to be completed by 2018.
Photo by Sally Tipper
