Town planning: Pascal Smet wants great tours in Brussels

VSand summer, Pascal Smet (one.brussels) traded Mobility and Public Works against Urban Planning and Heritage. He had to leave planning (PRDD, Pras, Pad …) to the minister-president but will manage the concrete translation: the issuance of permits, both for buildings and for public space. "Key elements: the identity of a city is determined by its citizens, public spaces and buildings. We know that Brussels is the most diverse city in Europe, the second largest in the world. "

The Secretary of State's mission is to write, in the coming months, a "charter of real estate development", non-binding but "incentive". He is currently meeting key players to explain his philosophy. "First, we must raise the level of architectural ambition. You need buildings that have mouths that intrigue. A requirement that applies to both private and public buildings.

Greenery strongly recommended

Another key "strongly recommended" to future builders: the valuation of roofs. "On all office buildings or housing, think of a rooftop bar, or restaurant, or solarium, or urban farm. In this way, we will have accessible urban panoramas, as far as possible to the public. "Idem for the greening of buildings. Not required but strongly suggested.

The philosophy of this legislature is also the densification of the city. "Yes, we will densify in height", confirms Pascal Smet. "But it will always have to go with public space, either on the roof or on the floor, creating it. We have determined the neighborhoods where we want to build priority. "No more taboo on the tours in Brussels? " Yes it's clear. We will build towers. But on two conditions. The building needs to be well integrated in the neighborhood, and new public space is needed for people to live. "Brussels residents are wary of towers? "The problem is the quality of the towers. Except that we can not refuse a permit for "architectural mediocrity". "Neither on the whim of the minister. That's why we will try to think about the project upstream. But clearly, we will build towers. Brussels is not Aix-en-Provence huh! We are not going to do anything. We will look to the future, with respect for the past. It will also take into account the perspective, for each building. "

Many criteria? "Promoters are now well aware that they have an important role to play for Brussels, crucial for the image of the city," said the Secretary of State.

► The Secretary of State's explanations on Le Soir +.