The Urban Renewal Contracts (URC), implemented by the Urban teams in collaboration with perspective.brussels for their programming, are ambitious programmes designed to weave links between neighbourhoods. These "multi-municipality" projects aim to improve public spaces, strengthen urban networks and create high-quality infrastructure and housing, while emphasising sustainability and economic revitalisation.
→ Read on for various flagship projects taking shape in several Brussels municipalities as part of the first five URCs.
• URC 1 "Citroën - Vergote"
In Brussels, as part of URC 1, work is in full swing on the future Magasin 4 concert venue. Located on the corner of Avenue du Port and Rue de l'Entrepôt, near Tour & Taxis, this new venue dedicated to alternative music will benefit from a doubled and permanent space, the fruit of a collaboration between the City of Brussels, the Brussels Region, the Urban Development Corporation (SAU) and the Port of Brussels.
The project for this iconic institution of the underground scene pays particular attention to the principles of circularity, adaptability, flexibility and minimisation of the carbon footprint, especially in the choice of materials.
• URC 2 "Brabant - Nord - Saint-Lazare"
In Schaerbeek, three projects are underway in URC 2:
- The revegetation of the railroad embankments between Gare du Nord and Avenue de la Reine, carried out by Bruxelles Environnement, began at the end of 2024.
- The same goes for the renovation of the former synagogue on Rue Rogier 126, which will be transformed into a genuine socio-cultural facility for young people and the fight against school drop-out, thanks in particular to the development of hip-hop culture and the establishment of the Hip-Hop School.
- At the start of 2025, work has also begun on the redevelopment of the three houses located on Place de la Reine 14-16: these buildings will house the future student and neighbourhood centre. This new facility will offer multi-purpose spaces for students and local residents alike, and will also connect Place de la Reine to the Maison des Arts garden, located behind the houses involved.
• URC 3 "Gare de l'Ouest"
Meanwhile in Anderlecht, two major construction projects began at the end of 2024 in URC 3:
- Anderlecht's emblematic Maison du Peuple is getting a makeover, between Chaussée de Mons 423-427 and Quai de l'Industrie 233. The aim of the redevelopment work is to preserve and reactivate this emblematic site, the neighbourhood's social and cultural heritage. The Maison du Peuple will host a variety of associative and socio-cultural activities. On the Canal side, new spaces will be developed to accommodate production and economic activities such as a wood and metal workshop, as well as various spaces for companies and associations. Lastly, ten social housing units will be built on the corner of Rue de l'Ancienne Gare and Quai de l'Industrie.
- Construction of the new fire station has also begun. The new infrastructure will replace the obsolete Poste Avancé du Service Incendie (PASI), and will be located in Cureghem, along the canal. The new facility will offer modern spaces for firefighters, as well as a sports hall shared with local residents. Financed by the SIAMU, ERDF and Urban, the project incorporates quality, safety and environmental standards, while strengthening links with the neighbourhood.
• URC 4 "Avenue du Roi"
In the municipality of Forest two major URC 4 projects are also progressing:
- Work on the Avenue du Parc was able to start at the end of 2024. The work covers the entire avenue and aims to develop an exemplary layout based on water runoff and soil permeability.
- In 2025, the renovation and extension of the former Movy Club cinema on Rue des Moines 17-21 will also get underway, with a view to transforming it into a genuine socio-cultural hub.
• URC 5 "Heyvaert - Poincaré"
Once again in Anderlecht, the first construction site for URC 5 began in 2024, marking the first housing project in the first series of URCs.
The work involves the partial demolition of a former industrial building on Rue de la Bougie 34-36, in order to rebuild a new building comprising of six social housing units and a community facility on the ground floor, linked to the future Parc de la Sennette. The project aims to preserve as much of the existing buildings as possible and adopts an environmentally-friendly approach, notably through the reuse of materials from demolition and the use of eco-responsible techniques.
All these different URC projects represent a real transformation of the Brussels urban space, with a direct impact on improving the quality of life of residents, the sustainability of infrastructures and the revitalisation of neighbourhoods.
To delve a little deeper
More information on URCs
Urban Renewal Contracts (URCs) are programmes that share common objectives with the Sustainable Neighbourhood Contracts (SNCs), but extend over the territory of several municipalities. They are carried out by several regional and municipal operators under the guidance of the region. These programmes focus on public space and urban networking, and aim to improve links between different areas of the city and reduce fractures between different urban territories.
The Urban teams ensure their operational implementation, in collaboration with perspective.brussels, which is responsible for their programming.
URC projects in photos
Don't miss any of the projects recently completed as part of the urban revitalisation programmes managed by the Urban teams: visually follow the progress of the works thanks to Media Urban.
