Green light for new Schumanplein by COBE and BRUT in Brussels
The result of an intensive, inclusive and ambitious process
In 2015, Pascal Smet and Rudi Vervoort reached a political agreement to thoroughly tackle the Schumanplein in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels. That same year, Brussels Mobility launched an international architecture competition, in which more than 20 offices took part. This competition was supervised by the Brussels Architect. Five agencies were selected to submit a design. In 2017, the design by the Danish architectural firm COBE and the Brussels firm BRUT became the winning design.
After several workshops and consultations with local residents, traders and users of the square, the design was fine-tuned by the team of architects in close collaboration with Brussels Mobility and Beliris. In 2019 Brussels Mobility submitted a permit application. Afterwards, the project went through the urban planning procedure, which included a public inquiry and a recommendation from the consultation committee. In April 2021, a meeting between Pascal Smet, Elke van den Brandt, Philippe Close and Ans Persoons decided to adjust the project in a few areas. The urban planning administration.brussels formulated urbanization, in consultation with Brussels Mobility, an official question (Article 191 of the Civil Code). Other options can be explored to provide more plants and to plant additional trees in the square and to ensure access to the square for people with reduced mobility and the visually impaired.
From a mobility point of view, the one-way traffic between Kortenberg and Kleine Wetstraat was proposed in order to better regulate the flow of cars and to be able to connect a two-way bicycle path with Renaissancelaan.
Brussels Mobility requires an amended proposal in October 2021 based on these questions. The urban planning administration, policy decisions for the project and finally its final light on the green man laying for the Schumanplein.
The Brussels builder Beliris will start work at the end of the 20th.
A design with vision
The overall philosophy behind the project is based on the concentric circles that recur throughout the design. The new urban square will be a bowl-shaped space with a modern steel structure where visitors and residents can relax.
Around the square will be a large pedestrian zone with benches, shrubs and almost 100 trees. The part of ‘Kleine Wetstraat’ will also be completely redeveloped. This will connect the Cinquantenaire Park to the square and you will be able to walk from the park to it in an ultimate performance. The new Schumanplein will thus form the entrance to the Cinquantenaire Park. Car traffic is limited between Kortenberglaan and Wetstraat. A safe, ocher combined these two axes together.
A new symbol
The steel central construction will be at the bottom of the square and the human eye-catcher in the city. A green roof will be placed on top of this mirror structure. The new Schumanplein has been designed in such a way that activities and events can take place in a practical way.
“What used to be a square to quickly walk away from will now become a place to stay. A meeting place for Brussels residents, European officials and visitors. And the square will also become the new gateway to the beautiful Cinquantenaire Park. The new Schumanplein will become a symbolic place be in the heart of Europe, Belgium and Brussels that will be known all over the world.