In Brussels, Urban Policy (Politique de la Ville - PdV) is developing alongside Sustainable Neighbourhood Contracts (Contrats de Quartiers Durables - CQD) and Urban Renewal Contracts (Contrats de Rénovation Urbaine - CRU). PdVs are a regional urban revitalisation tool designed to combat feelings of insecurity, focusing on two priorities:
- Priority 1: Land use planning
- Priority 2: Neighbourhood development
Conducted via multi-year programmes and supervised by Urban's teams in the municipalities, the PdV creates housing and community facilities, develops public spaces, and implements initiatives to reduce poverty and social polarisation.
→ Discover the latest projects, which are revitalising neighbourhoods and strengthening their social ties.
Le CUBE in Saint-Gilles
Le CUBE, Centre Urbain d'Expression, is a new neighbourhood infrastructure dedicated to young people aged 15 to 26, inaugurated in January 2025 in Saint-Gilles thanks to the support of the PdV - Priority 2 and the municipality. Temporarily housed in the former VDS workshops (131 Avenue Fonsny), it is now located at 49 Rue Hollande, in the heart of the Halle Gate district, in a converted former garage covering some 1,200 m².
The Centre houses a multi-purpose hall, a sports area, a foyer, a "performing arts" area with recording equipment, a "Youth Info" point and the offices of the municipal youth department. Open to all forms of expression – dance, boxing, guitar, artistic creation or simply as a meeting place – the CUBE also offers public events and builds partnerships with local associations. Activities are organised according to the desires of young people, who also have free access to the facilities.
Secrétin Park in Jette
A new, high-quality green space has been created for the residents of Jette along the Jette cemetery, between Avenue Secrétin and Rue Jules Lahaye. The redevelopment of the area meant that the Monument aux Morts square could be enlarged thanks to the removal of the former terminus of Tram 62, and provided a chance to showcase the Hungarian oak that stands there, the largest tree of its kind in the Brussels Region!
The site has also been renamed "Marie de Villegas de Saint-Pierre Park", in honour of the writer and nurse who fought for the resistance in the First World War, increasing female representation in the public space. Subsidised in part by the PdV - Priority 2, this project is also supported by the municipality of Jette, STIB and Brussels Mobility.
Strengthening the recreational network in Forest
The Abbaye de Forest playground has been completely renewed as part of the recreational network developed by the municipality via the PdV - Priority 2 programme. Aimed at children aged 1 to 12, the emphasis is on inclusiveness, with improved accessibility for people with disabilities and a layout that encourages intergenerational diversity.
The new area now features a wide range of equipment, including forest huts, sand games, slides, a wooden dendrophone, an intergenerational fun trail, see-saw, a pyramid, picnic tables and more. The old play equipment was reinstalled as part of the "Deux Cités" Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract, also in Forest, as part of the circular economy.
To delve a little deeper
Find out more about the Urban Policy (PdV)
Find out more about this urban revitalisation tool and its various objectives.
→ More information
PdV projects in photos
See urban revitalisation projects come to life: visit Media Urban to see images from the latest successful projects.
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