TOP Noordrand

Territorial development plan for the northern fringe of Brussels

The Brussels Noordrand covers a diffuse space between urban areas, and roads at local, provincial, and national levels bisect it. The municipalities and the regions have high aspirations for this area’s transformation. The wish list includes sustainability, mobility, quality of life, and a high-quality economy.

The present situation has an extensive variety of private and public stakeholders, all with their own projects and priorities of interests. Artgineering proposes a logical departure from these existing projects by combining them. A top-down master plan does not serve the transformation of such a diverse and dynamic field.

Through dialogue, we want to encourage stakeholders to transcend their own concerns, without losing sight of existing needs or wants. Along with the project owners and interested parties, three distinct connecting ‘storylines’ were formulated to prevent fragmented developments. Space was also allowed for ‘colouring’ the storylines over time.

The three storylines are:

• A multimodal European Boulevard from Brussels-South railway station to the airport
• Park Noord, a network of multi-functional open spaces
• Training and education as a catalyst for economic development in the NoordR&D

Location: Brussels, the Flemish Region, Province of Flemish-Brabant, Belgium
Clients: Ruimte Vlaanderen, Brussels Urban Development, Province of Flemish-Brabant, OVAM
Partners: Idea Consult, Goudappel Coffeng, H+N+S Landscape architects
Year: 2014-2015