Drawing is an essential tool in research by design and contributes in a specific way to the quality of projects. Used from the earliest stages of reflection, this tool makes it possible to address issues in a concrete, contextualised and collaborative manner, by creating a medium for dialogue between all stakeholders involved.
Over the years, this approach has established itself as a recognised and widely adopted method among various regional and municipal institutions, particularly in support of the initial phases of reflection.
Building on two previous successful experiences, the City of Brussels is now launching a public procurement procedure aimed at establishing a framework agreement with a team capable of implementing this research-by-design approach. This initiative responds to several ambitions: initiating new urban planning visions for a given area, anticipating future high-stakes urban developments, supporting City departments in their initial reflections on the redevelopment of sites, and encouraging a more transversal approach to urban development. In other words, it seeks to reflect on how each project, particularly public projects, can go beyond its primary function to become a lever for improving its surroundings and the uses connected to it.
The mission therefore consists in developing different project scenarios in order to inform future choices. Supported by visual representations, these proposals make it possible to articulate the visions of the various stakeholders, strike a balance between territorial challenges, and build a shared basis for reflection between administrations and concerned partners. Conceived as decision-support tools, they provide a flexible and evolving framework to accompany the future development stages of projects.
Through this framework agreement, the City of Brussels aims to promote an approach based on architectural and urban quality, collaboration between disciplines, attention to context, and the capacity to produce shared visions. Particular attention will be paid to the teams’ ability to work transversally and to produce clear reflection tools adapted to decision-making processes.
- Architecture
- Urban planning
- Landscape
- Environmental expertise
- 2 references related to missions emphasizing Research by Design in different urban contexts and on different scales
- 1 reference through which the bidder demonstrates the ability to produce an urban study that takes sustainability concepts into account
- Quality of the approach to the mission – 50%
- Quality and relevance of references and team – 30%
- Feasibility – 20%
The framework agreement may consist of several subsequent contracts and will be concluded with one participant.
- Invitation to submit a tender: 12.06.2026
- Submission of tenders: 20.08.2026
- Presentation of tenders to the jury: 25.08.2026
- Award of contract and start of the mission: mid-september
- The fees for the framework agreement amounts to € 90.000 incl. VAT.
- A remuneration of € 1.800 excl. VAT will be awarded to each team that submitted a regular bid but was not chosen as a laureate. In the case of the awardees of this contract, this amount is considered as an advance on their fees.
If you are interested, we invite you to send an e-mail, before 29.05.2026 at 2 PM, to bouwmeester maître architecte at appel-oproep@bma.brussels, showing your interest, motivation and experience, and giving your contact details and/or those of the planned team (on a maximum of one attached A4 sheet).