Public space is, by definition, the only place in the city that is accessible to everyone at all times. For BMA, improving the quality of life in the city through public spaces is a key priority. The ambitions for public space include strengthening the city’s resilience in the face of global warming, encouraging the equitable sharing of space, promoting soft modes of transport and creating high-quality environments.

A shared vision

Many bodies are responsible for public space in Brussels, and a large number of reference manuals have been produced. Although the planning of public space is always a complex affair, for several years now it has been planned more effectively thanks to the development of a coherent, shared vision.

In 2019, the BMA, in collaboration with several Brussels municipalities, published the booklet [ESPACE – PUBLIEK], which offers ten tips for improving the design of ordinary streets. Given that more than half of Brussels’ public space is made up of these ordinary streets, this booklet has significant potential to improve quality of life in Brussels.

In 2021, BMA worked with urban.brussels to produce a public space manual. Drawn up by Org and Bureau Bas Smets in collaboration with the regional and municipal authorities, this manual sets out the expectations and challenges for each type of generic public space in Brussels, serving as a design and decision-making tool.

A public space for everyone

Citizen participation in public space projects often takes place when there is already a project underway. BMA wants to involve citizens more openly, particularly at an early stage of project design, thereby strengthening their role and expertise in the making of the city.

BMA recommends opening competition juries to the public by inviting users as members of a citizens’ panel  and introducing a participatory process that defines needs by testing and prefiguring uses through temporary use of public space.

What’s next?

Not all projects need a competition. Nevertheless, in order to stimulate spatial quality for a large part of what is built, the Brussels Building Code stipulates that a BMA review must be asked for all permit applications for architectural projects of more than 5,000 m². BMA is calling for the BMA review to be extended to applications for planning permission for public spaces of more than 5,000m².