Urban invites you to take a new perspective on the city with the following 3 itineraries across some of its most complex districts. These walks showcase some of the solutions that the Region has brought in response to these areas’ pressing issues, spanning from the renewal and restoration of historic neighbourhoods, to transportation, circularity in the city, the protection of cultural heritage, water management and architectural design.
You can choose from the different self-guided walks and start your discovery of the Brussels' diversity of public spaces and green areas, as well as architectural and urban projects, all aiming at improving the quality of life of Brussels’ residents.
ROUTE 01 STRIKING DIVERSITIES IN THE CITY CENTRE
As the most cosmopolitan city of Europe, and second most in the world, Brussels shows a striking diversity in its city centre. Discover the stately institutions on the royal axis, the contrasts between the upper and lower city, the hidden spots and the variety of neighbourhoods. There’s a place for every taste in the heart of Brussels.
ROUTE 02 BY THE WATERSIDE
Often considered to be a break or a boundary between two shores, cross-city waterways have their advantages nonetheless. With a closer look you can see how they are meeting points that bring people together. In Brussels, this area was partly an industrial wasteland. Today, thanks to the support of regional, federal and European authorities, many interesting projects have been developed. Protecting and restoring waterways, infrastructure, economy, housing, public and green areas, in order to deliver renewed neighbourhoods where people can dream of new ways of living and working.
ROUTE 03 RESPECTING THE PAST AND CREATING THE FUTURE
Getting to know the richness of yesterday’s cultural heritage is crucial. But, if we are to respect, protect, restore and rehabilitate the past, we must do so without neglecting the future. Walk from the historic city centre to the North District, marked by the presence of major infrastructures, crossed by the inner ring road, the canal and the railways. The northern territory is currently undergoing major changes. Several public initiatives as well as private projects testify to the renewed interest. An impulse to change paradigms, to reintroduce diversity and to allow a new urban intensity, demonstrating an interesting sustainable and environmental approach for a better sociocultural cohesion. Discover those strong ambitions and new strategies for a better neighbourhood to ‘work’, to ‘inhabit’ and to ‘live’.
