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Brussels' big idea for reducing car traffic - Good Move - is based on the Barcelona 'megablock' idea. Basically: removing through traffic, more space to soft mobility, more green, more one-way streets, etc.
So I thought I'd see how that might work in our little mini-block 1/
So I thought I'd see how that might work in our little mini-block 1/
We're in a grid of more or less parallel and perpendicular streets between Parc Elisabeth, Koekelberg Basilica, and Belgica metro station. Lots of boulevards with trees in the middle. Also means lots of rat runs to the Leopold tunnel and the ring
Fairly wide streets with a large margin for reorganisation without even endangering people's sacred parking spots.
What we need:
wider footpaths
slower and fewer cars
more access to green
3/
What we need:
wider footpathsslower and fewer carsmore access to green3/
Easily achieved by tackling these 4 junctions - by preventing through traffic and making surrounding streets one-way. And guess what? That's already the plan for the junction circled in green at the top - should stop rat runners making to and from the tunnel 4/
Now for the other three.
Two should be relatively easy - they're already flagged as dangerous roundabouts with cars speeding from the ring in the morning and back out of the city in the evening. 'Knip' them and that traffic disappears 5/
Two should be relatively easy - they're already flagged as dangerous roundabouts with cars speeding from the ring in the morning and back out of the city in the evening. 'Knip' them and that traffic disappears 5/
Bottom junctions a little more tricky as it has the tram line going through it. But here, you could make a new zebra crossing in the middle, connecting the two walkways in the middle of the boulevard.
And what do you get then? 6/
And what do you get then? 6/
An uninterrupted green walkway connecting the basiliek to Broustin tram stop. A great resource for the many young families in the block, and for visitors to the neighbourhood. Just needs a bit of reorganisation and a little imagination.
But wait, there's more... 7/
But wait, there's more... 7/
Zoom out and there's an even greater potential for the neighbourhood.
Continue with the same 'knips' all the way down to Belgica, and you've made it possible to walk/bike almost unhindered from the Basiliek to Tour & Taxis park, to Bockstael, and to the Canal. Fantastic! 8/
Continue with the same 'knips' all the way down to Belgica, and you've made it possible to walk/bike almost unhindered from the Basiliek to Tour & Taxis park, to Bockstael, and to the Canal. Fantastic! 8/
What you need to do this?
Ambition
Buy-in from residents (but avoiding vetoes from the usual crowd
Some money, but surely not that much
And ambition
So, what do you think @elkevdbrandt @BXLmobiliteit @AhmedLaaouej @magcornelissen @Hervedoyen @SmetPascal @groenbrussel
AmbitionBuy-in from residents (but avoiding vetoes from the usual crowdSome money, but surely not that muchAnd ambition So, what do you think @elkevdbrandt @BXLmobiliteit @AhmedLaaouej @magcornelissen @Hervedoyen @SmetPascal @groenbrussel
