Against the currentBrussels’ canal quarter as the new city centre

MyCanal.be

Tegen de stroom inObservationsCity centre moving towards the CanalNo masterplan for the canalNo waterfront in Brussels

ChallengesTo workTo liveTo meetTo move

Concretisation of our visionFive urban projects along the Canal

MyCanal.be

No masterplan or city planning leads to chaotic development

Speculation by private investors

Observation 2: No masterplan

Canal has few public open space

Canal doesn’t connect different communities and quarters Little Morocco and bobo DansaertLaken and Schaarbeek

Canal has the potential as meeting spot

Observation 3: Canal is a frontier / border / wall

MyCanal.be

Tegen de stroom inObservationsCity centre moving towards the CanalNo masterplan for the canalNo waterfront in Brussels

ChallengesTo workTo liveTo meetTo move

Concretisation of our visionFive urban projects along the Canal

MyCanal.be

- very low job creation per m2 economic value calculated by the lengths of the quayssecond hand car industrie, junkyard, TIR Warehouse…

- 78% of all industrie along the Canal does not use the water

- Logistics in the middle of living quarters, no urban compatibility

- Port of Brussels and minister Grouwels: “No marina, but cargo port”

Economy: Logistics

- Economic value should be calculated by the number of workers

- Reallocate heavy industrie and logistics to the extremities of Brussels

- Favour the link with the water

- Invest in creative and high-tech industries as well as urban economy

Economy: Invest in new industriesProposAL

MyCanal.be

- Fragmented chaos of overcrowded districts and high vacancy rates

- No link with the Canal

- Danger of social displacement (gentrification) and no social mix

=> Vision integrating demographic boom, social mix and quality housing

Housing: Overcrowded & underequiped

MyCanal.be

- Socially and culturally two seperated worlds

- Poorly designed public space, no meeting spot

- Cultural and touristical interesting spot not valorised

- Green city not present in the densely populated districts along the Canal

Meeting place: Canal doesn’t connect

MyCanal.be

- Public space redesigned as to invite for encouter

- Strengthened attractions and a cultural landmark for the Canal

- Lobcity: a green-blue link through the city with access to the districts

- Public space = Recreation area (e.g. public open air swimming pool)

MyCanal.be

Proposal

Meeting place: Green connection of districts

- Crossing the Canal = traffic jam

- Very difficult for bikers, pedestrians, public transport to cross the Canal

- Impossible to move along Brussels’ river from Anderlecht to Schaarbeek

- Two river banks not linked properly

Mobility: Parking with a view?!

MyCanal.be

- More bridges for pedestrians and bikers

- Reorganising existing crossings as public meeting spacesBridges Vandevelde, Ninove, Van Praet

- Moving along the canal for pedestrians, bikers and public transport

- Discouraging car use and parking along the Canal

Mobility: Rethinking urban mobility

MyCanal.be

Proposal

Tegen de stroom inObservationsCity centre moving towards the CanalNo masterplan for the canalNo waterfront in Brussels

ChallengesTo workTo liveTo meetTo move

Concretisation of our visionFive urban projects along the Canal

MyCanal.be

- Retain existing projects and development

- Protest against non-urban projectsUplace, Just Under The Sky, Shell-site, widening ring…

- Proposing 5 ideas in 5 areas along the Canal

- Introducing 10 waterfront principles

MyCanal.be

Station area and Logistics Port

MyCanal.be

Urban park

MyCanal.be

Start a ripple, watch it grow

A new urban dynamicMyCanal.be

More jobsMyCanal.be

Create a waterfront for everyone

Live on the river banks in a social mix

Set up a policy for decent and affordable housing

Embrace the different identities and cultures as a trump for Brussels

Connect the densely populated with eachother

Garranty sustainable jobs in an urban economy

Attract creative entrepreneurs and innovative industries

Improve mobility of pedestrians, bikers and public transport

Develop urban logistic facilities with waterway access

Prioritize public space with an ambitious architecture

Waterfront principles

MyCanal.be