Sustainable neighbourhoods in Brussels An analysis of the difficulties for the (re-)development of sustainable neighbourhoods and suggestions of possible methods and solutions

In 2008 the Brussels-Capital Region, together with Brussels institute for the environment (BIM / IBGE) created the facilitator service “sustainable neighbourhoods” (quartiers durables). By 2010 a report was presented regarding the search for an experimental site in the Brussels-Capital Region where a sustainable neighbourhood could be developed. However, the research project showed that this one perfect experimental site didn’t exist; instead one can find, within the Brussels region, several locations, that could prove to be ideal candidates for a sustainable redevelopment. This contribution will discuss the findings of this research project and will elaborate on the specific scenarios that were developed for a selection of the characteristic neighbourhoods. At the end some conclusions are drawn with regard to the possibility of realizing the sustainable city of tomorrow not via new developments but using the existing urban fabric and turning it (redeveloping it) sustainable.