In 2020, the Brussels and Flemish regions joined forces to launch a study on the transformation of the 20th-century belt in and around Brussels. While various design strategies and tools have already been developed for the renewal of the historic city centre and the 19th-century belt, the complexity of the 20th-century periphery remains largely unexplored. However, urban and social challenges are emerging and will become increasingly pronounced.

There are also many shared issues on both sides of the regional border, although Brussels and Flanders deal with urbanisation pressures differently. This 20th-century belt area balances suburban living with urban dynamics, where mobility, sustainability, and affordable housing intersect. The research focuses on how, in this complex context, we can work towards a resilient, sustainable and liveable environment that can better meet current and future needs.

A thorough analysis of the functioning of this periphery led to a diagnosis of its spatial dynamics. These findings laid the foundation for research by design where several teams set to work in three specific sub-areas to propose concrete transformations. Each team delved into a different theme crucial to the future of this 20th-century periphery, focusing on how soft traffic modes can leverage a new urban project, water-conscious urban development that also leads to more liveable residential areas, and the question of how to deal with the typical mix of fine-grain and large-scale development.

The study not only offers insights into how to improve the 20th-century belt, but it also aims to spark a conversation to create a shared vision for the future, uniting both regions. The study encourages cooperation and knowledge exchange, with the aim of developing strategies for the resilience of this area in both Brussels and Flanders in the coming decades.