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Brussels plans to expand pedestrian zone, close tunnels
The Brussels-Capital Region wants to extend the pedestrian zone in the city centre by an additional 25km² by 2025, and by as many as 40km² by 2040, according to a recent draft of the Brussels government's new Regional Plan for Sustainable Development (PRDD).
The draft sites various locations across the Region that are eligible to become part of the potential expansion, including Chaussée de Louvain, Avenue de Stalingrad, Place du Luxembourg, Sablon, Rue de Brabant, the goulet Louise bottleneck, Rue Gray, Rue Jourdan and part of Bois de la Cambre, among others. Avenue Louise is to be lined with bike paths and greenery, according to the proposal.
The Region is also considering closing a number of Brussels' tunnels by 2025, and possibly covering parts of the city's inner Ring Road between Madou and Trône, Porte de Namur and Hôtel des Monnaies, and Rogier and Botanique.
The Region stresses that the draft only sketches a preliminary design, and that the final version of the PRDD will be discussed in parliament in October, after which time it will be officially presented to the press and public.
However, opposition to the plan has already started. "I see that the government has decided to put aside democracy, opting for the closure of a number of tunnels, without evaluating or discussing it thoroughly," said Etterbeek mayor Vincent De Wolf in Het Nieuwsblad.
Comments
Another great idea. Close all the tunnels so we can sit in more traffic. Make all the streets pedestrian so the hobos can colonise more of the city so no one else goes there.
Another great idea. Close all the tunnels so we can sit in more traffic. Make all the streets pedestrian so the hobos can colonise more of the city so no one else goes there.
The city totally messed up the pedestrian zone in the inner city -- businesses have gone bust, they tore out the trees, vast open spaces full of wind and trash blowing about, homeless sleeping on the ugly picnic tables, and pedestrians knocking into cyclists and taxis! Before any new pedestrian zone is considered, they should find out what works in BXL. No one has common sense. This city has so much to offer but the city fathers keep botching it. Why not first clean up the city, remove graffiti and repair cobblestone sidewalks, re-do a lot of the sad landscaping, and repair the tunnels!
Hopefully all this insanity will end when unelected mayor Mayeur is booted from office. His personal agenda for Brussels and the way he and his cronies are trying to impose it is absolutely sickening. And no one seems to be standing up to him. The sooner this band of political radicals leaves office, the better. Mayeur could be hired by municipalities that need help in self-destructing.
Is this what Brussels inhabitants want or is it the brainchild of blind city planners and senseless politicians? Regardless, wait for tax increases in various forms and entry into a "sh" creek without a paddle.