Citizen participation was at the heart of the decision-making process for this new tram line project for Neder-Over-Heembeek, one of the districts of Brussels. From the first phase, the impact study (2019-2020), a citizen panel was included in the steering committee. A new citizen panel was then composed in August 2020 to support the development study (2020-2021). These members were responsible for co-creating planning proposals. They enriched the debate with their knowledge of the neighborhood (counting parking spaces, bus stops, etc.) and they co-defined the priority directions of the sketches, which were presented to all residents during meetings. citizens. They also participated in the creation of communication tools with citizens.
Problems and objectives
The population and workers of Neder-Over-Heembeek companies should benefit from an alternative to the car. Here are the objectives that the new tram line must meet:
- Better connect all the districts of the City of Brussels to the rest of the Brussels-Capital Region.
- Connect important mobility nodes.
- Improve the living environment, safety and conviviality of public spaces throughout the route, thanks to numerous urban developments.
History and context
The Neder-Over-Heembeek district is developing: more than 1,000 housing units were created in Neder-Over-Heembeek in 2021, new jobs are planned at the Solvay campus, at Bpost, at Bruxelles Propreté. In addition, new educational establishments are expected.
After 15 years of significant investments by the city of Brussels, after the development of housing, collective infrastructure and public services, it is mobility which is at the heart of all attention in Neder-Over-Heembeek. A unique possibility, through a tram project, to better connect the district to the rest of the Region is offered to this part of the city. Which will also profoundly improve the quality of public space throughout the route. Today, the city of Brussels, the Region and STIB are proposing the route of the new tram line which will connect Neder-Over-Heembeek to the city center and to the entire Region.
Organizing, supporting and financing organizations
STIB, The City of Brussels
Recruitment and selection of participants
8 representatives with different profiles were sought to compose this second citizen panel: 2 economic actors, 2 representatives of local associations, 4 residents with different profiles in terms of gender, age, place of residence, mode of transport.
The call for applications to participate in the citizen panels was distributed to all residents of the neighborhood. During the call for this panel, 66 citizens applied. In the end, 8 candidates were selected. The nomination was put to a vote.
Methods and tools used
During the planning study, an online survey aimed to ask users of the neighborhood about their wishes in terms of design and general features. Particular attention was paid to the position of a specific square called "Zavelput" (the Sablon well), which was mentioned in the aforementioned online survey as an important point of interest for Heembeek residents.
This is why the square's programming was developed by citizens. Three citizen meetings were organized on March 16, 23 and 27, 2021, including one with merchants, to determine the desired use of this central square in NOH. In order for citizens to make projections about the future use of the space, VR glasses were used to see possible development options. Based on the work carried out during these meetings, the design office developed sketches which were voted on online.
What happened: processes, interactions and participation
Here are the steps of the participatory process:
07/15/2020 : selection of the citizen panel
12/10/2020 : launch of the development study
03/16/2021 : public meeting: co-construction of the Zavelput development
03/23/2021 : merchant meeting: co-construction of the Zavelput development
03/27/2021 : public meeting: co-construction of the Zavelput development
05/30/2021 : visit to construction sites and workshops
06/05/2021 : visit to construction sites and workshops
10/24/2021 : Public presentation of the project
Influence, results and effects
During the planning study, the citizen panel provided concrete information on the number of existing parking spaces and was able to advise the experts on the location of the stops. He also communicated on the co-construction meeting for the redevelopment of a specific square, Zavelput, and worked to provide additional consultation to residents of a particular street, Rue de l'Ancre, which would undergo a change of traffic due to the installationion of a future tram stop.
Analysis and lessons learned
This collective design, through dialogue and transparency, has contributed to the design of qualitative public spaces meeting the needs of residents and users in the broad sense. The limits of co-construction and the margins for discussion linked to project constraints (schedule, technical feasibility, political vision, etc.) were identified in advance and clearly indicated to citizens.
external links
https://move-nohw.brussels/fr/project