Brussels Mobility has launched a project to transform the Place Sainctelette, from Place de l'Yser to Avenue du Port.
The main ambition of the project is to better distribute the space between the different users: pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and drivers by reducing the space currently given to the car.
The Canal is historically a real and symbolic border between the East and West of Brussels. The project aims to make the square more attractive and thus encourage connections to bring the two sides together.
Understanding the project and its challenges :
The Sainctelette area is a key crossroads of the city. It is crossed by the axis linking the Botanique to the Basilica. It is also the border between the Maritime Quarter, the Northern Quarter and the city centre. It is also a traffic hub. All means of transport can be found here: trams, metros, cars, bicycles, pedestrians and boats. The Sainctelette area is now saturated and dangerous.
Brussels Mobility has launched a project to transform the Place Sainctelette, from Place de l'Yser to Avenue du Port.
The main ambition is to better distribute the space between the different uses by reducing the space currently given to the car.
1 Create a "bridge place"
The project proposes a square that crosses the canal and brings the two banks together. This "bridge square" will be built by rethinking the space of the boulevard, increasing the quality and the space of the bridges. Pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from larger traffic areas.
The aim is to offer residents new public spaces. These public spaces, conducive to new uses (walks, children's games, food trucks, etc.), will enable the square to be used differently. Outdoor events can be organised in the new spaces of the square.
This bridge square aims to break down the border between the West and East of Brussels. The project aims to make the square more fluid and attractive and thus to encourage connections to bring the two sides together.
2 Making trips safer, calming traffic
Sainctelette is currently a very accident-prone intersection. It is not easy to get around on foot, by bicycle or by car. The public transport exits are also unsafe. The challenge is to improve road safety by making it safer for
- Pedestrians: wider pavements and pleasant walkways. Crossings will be simplified to save time for pedestrians and make travel safer.
- Cyclists: safe, mostly two-way cycle paths on both sides of the boulevard will be provided along the entire route.
- Public transport: facilitate the connection between modes of transport (tramway, metro, bus). A better connection between the Yser tramway stop and the district. A smoother transition between bicycle and public transport will be ensured.
- Drivers: optimisation of the operation of the Sainctelette intersection to maintain a sufficient level of traffic while ensuring a redistribution of public space favourable to all modes of transport
3 A green and pleasant square that links major cultural centres
The current spaces in Sainctelette are mostly dedicated to the use of cars. The traffic lanes are very stony and do not make walking or cycling pleasant. The project aims to establish two major promenades to link the two banks, by bike or on foot:
- to the south, in the continuity of the historic planted promenades of the city centre
- to the north, in order to connect the Maximilian Park, the Kanal Museum, the Kaai Theater and the Beco Park. These connections will help to establish the square as a major cultural centre. New dynamic infrastructures will thus be at the service of the inhabitants of Brussels.
Greenery will play an important role. These promenades will also enhance the quays by creating rest areas near the Brussels Canal. This nature will also make it possible to create islands of coolness, to limit the rise in temperature during heat waves and to make the square more sustainable.
Renders: © SAIDA POUR AGENCE TER
General project information
Technical specifications
Cities
- Brussels city
- Molenbeek-Saint-Jean