Brussels' European Quarter finally ready to shed its bureaucratic ghetto image

A large-scale urban redevelopment project seeks to inject some life into the district by creating, among other things, housing units

The emptying of the first ex-EU offices in the European Quarter will begin later this month as part of a major redevelopment project concerning more than 20 buildings with a view to transforming the drab administrative district into a more livable neighbourhood and a more seamless part of the Brussels urban fabric.

The redevelopment operation of the European Quarter began in the spring when the Belgian government bought out more than 300,000 m² of office space from the European Union institutions with plans to dilute the monolithic function and appearance of the district.

In essence, this means rolling back to partially return to the original residential character of the district, which began being lost in the middle of the 20^th century with the creation and accumulation of more and more European Community (and later EU) institutions.

The result of the functionalization of the neighbourhood, however, meant that over the years it has acquired a character that’s often been described as drab, grey and lacking soul. It acquired the fame of being a place where EU civil servants went solely to work, meaning that on evenings and weekends, there is an empty, eerie atmosphere.

What’s behind the European Quarter rejuvenation plan?

That state of affairs has not sat right with the prime location of a district in the centre of an otherwise busy and bustling European capital. In addition, it didn’t help with the image of a European Union that is bent on ushering in an age of sustainable transformation in its member states while ignoring that same process in its very symbolic core.

For example, there is a distinct lack of greenery and trees on the streets in addition to the lack of a residential community.

For this reason, 25% of the space will be converted into housing units, with a quarter of these dedicated to social housing. Another 5% will be set aside for “equipment of collective use”, meaning things like schools, nurseries, and a police station, as some of the hallmarks of an urban community.

This should create approximately 1,000 new housing units in the heart of the European Quarter, where some 2,000 people will live.

The other 70% will retain their office use, however, they will remain the property of the Belgian government while the EU institutions will become renters. The civil servants will get to enjoy more pleasing environment, such as green roofs, more greenery on the streets and more light in the offices.

The first renovated buildings should be ready around 2028-2029.