Brussels is among the most congested cities in Europe, a situation that severely affects quality of life, local air quality, and road safety. In 2023, 3,752 traffic accidents resulting in injuries were reported on the roads of the Brussels-Capital Region, with 27% involving cyclists. By comparison, cyclists accounted for only 14% of all victims in 2014, highlighting an alarming trend in road user safety. Beyond safety concerns, the city experiences chronic congestion, characterised by frequent traffic jams that disrupt mobility and exacerbate pollutant emissions, with significant public health repercussions.
To address these pressing challenges, the Brussels-Capital Region adopted the Good Move sustainable urban mobility plan in 2019. This strategy seeks to improve liveability by reducing congestion and creating high-quality public spaces. Anchored in a user-cantered approach, the plan addresses the region's social, economic, and environmental challenges through six cross-cutting themes. Among these is the “Good Neighbourhood” pillar, which focuses on improving residents’ quality of life by reducing motorised traffic in neighbourhoods, defining transit routes for heavy vehicles, and fostering calm, residential environments. Realising this ambitious vision requires close collaboration between the Brussels-Capital Region and its 19 local municipalities.
Brussels “Green Building Neighbourhood” Vision?
The Brussels Living Lab de l'Autre Côté de l'École (ACE) is situated in the municipality of Auderghem, along a primary road, and faces significant mobility challenges. These include road insecurity caused by high volumes of motorised traffic, speeding, suboptimal bicycle access, and narrow roads and sidewalks, despite the fact that most students and staff travel by bicycle or public transport. These issues are shared and acknowledged by all local stakeholders, underscoring the need for concerted action. The Brussels Living Lab pursues two primary objectives: Mobility as a community builder, aimed at fostering integration and raising awareness within the neighbourhood, and Mobility as a mean to change behaviour, focused on reducing speed and promoting sustainable transportation. The urgency of these objectives is underscored by the area’s ambition to achieve “Vision Zero”, addressing the frequency of crashes around the school and reaffirming a shared commitment to safety and sustainability.
The Green Building Neighbourhood vision seeks to energize the area by strengthening local connections and fostering social innovation through the school’s educational approach. By positioning the school as a key hub for green energy and mobility initiatives, this vision aligns with broader efforts to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and liveable urban environment.
Community building and behavioural change in Brussels
From September 16 to 22, Mobility Week provided a platform to inspire behavioural change and raise awareness about the benefits of active transportation. With a diverse program of activities focused on cycling, road safety, and civic engagement, the initiative encouraged students to rethink their commuting habits.
A Catalyst for Change: Mobility Week and Beyond
During the week, one-third of participating students switched to cycling for their school commute, significantly increasing bicycle use. Additionally, 15% reported feeling more motivated to use bikes, e- scooters, or skateboards, highlighting the campaign’s positive influence on attitudes towards active transportation. Mobility Week acted as a catalyst for behavioural change. It highlighted the power of collective action, illustrating how small changes in everyday habits could lead to significant reflections. Thanks to this collective effort, the school not only reduced its carbon footprint, but also instilled a sense of responsibility in its community members.
Despite high participation rate of teachers and students, efforts still need to be done to significantly improve the safety of the neighbourhood. The installation of the radar system provided critical data on traffic patterns and speeds, offering a clearer understanding of mobility challenges in front of the school. This evidence highlighted non-compliance with speed limits, with an average speed of 37 km/h in a 30 km/h zone, and revealed the high traffic volume, particularly on peak days like September 20, with over 13,200 vehicles. These insights not only underscored the urgency of implementing traffic-calming measures but also equipped stakeholders with concrete information to advocate for targeted and effective mobility solutions.
Building Bridges: Discussion with Authorities and the Community
Collaboration with public authorities and local stakeholders cultivates a shared dedication to addressing road safety issues and enhancing neighbourhood mobility. Such discussions serve to align priorities, identify practical solutions, and strengthen ties between the school, the community, and local officials. This partnership not only accelerates the pursuit of safer and more sustainable mobility options but also underscores the significance of collective responsibility in fostering a safer and more liveable environment.
Encouragingly, 38% of drivers expressed openness to switching to alternative modes of transport, underscoring the potential for change when conditions are supportive. Safety concerns were also highlighted, with 15% of residents feeling unsafe in neighbourhood traffic. And even among the 85% who felt generally safe, 45% pointed to dangerous driving behaviours, while 36% flagged traffic density as an issue. Cycling stood out as a particular concern, as 45% perceived it to be riskier than other modes of transport, and 18% expressed a fear of cycling in urban areas. To address these issues, participants proposed concrete solutions, reflecting a shared commitment to optimising public spaces for safety and sustainability.
Conclusion
Brussels LL exemplifies the practical application of Green Building Neighbourhoods’ technological and social innovations. The PROBONO approach promotes sustainability through participatory methods that engage stakeholders, including citizens, in co-designing and co-delivering GBN solutions.
Initiatives like Mobility Week in September actively involve the community, fostering safer and more sustainable mobility practices while uniting residents around a shared GBN vision. These efforts, individually impactful, collectively drive significant change, highlighting the value of a comprehensive, coordinated approach.
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