A recognized quality of life
Brussels is often cited as one of Europe's most pleasant capitals to live in, especially when compared with the mega-cities of Paris, London and Madrid. The arguments put forward are its respectable size and, of course, its parks, squares, woods and gardens, all of which provide restful spaces for residents and visitors alike. First and foremost, there's the Parc de Bruxelles, with its wide avenues and symmetrical alignments. Among the trees are a bandstand, theater, benches, fountains and refreshment points. The Jardin botanique Jean Massart offers not only a green setting, but also an educational stage, with almost 2,000 native and exotic plant species. Parc du Cinquantenaire, near the European Union buildings, combines greenery and monuments such as museums and the triumphal arch with its three arcades. It offers picnic areas and a variety of playgrounds and sports facilities. The Bois de la Cambre, a favorite of Brussels locals, boasts a wide variety of tree species and is a great place to relax in the shade of a tree, cycle or take a boat ride. And let's not forget the Forêt de Soignes to the south-east of the city.
Mobility, the negative point?
If there's one big black mark on the Brussels landscape, it's mobility. Not that the public transport company isn't doing its job properly, but Brussels is one of the top 20 most congested capital cities in Europe. This is due to an "all-car" policy that began in the 1950s and whose effects are still felt today, and to a regional government that is slow to make the transition. At rush hour, access to the capital can be complicated, and inside, especially in the city center, traffic flow is far from ideal. With small streets and a pedestrian area that splits the city center in two, getting around by car can be a challenge. There's a lack of large relief parking lots at the gateway to the region, where you can safely leave your car and use public transport to get around the city. The creation of a low-emission zone (LEZ) and the regional Good Move plan are attempts to clean up pollution and encourage a different kind of mobility.
As you can see, metros, streetcars and buses are your best allies when it comes to getting around.
City initiatives for sustainable development
The City of Brussels remains committed to sustainable development. This is demonstrated by strong initiatives such as the recent ban on plastic for fruit and vegetables in all stores and markets from 2020. Single-use plastic has also been banned from public events as of July 1, 2019. Another important date is February 19, 2020, the day Brussels officially teamed up with the Solar Impulse Foundation to begin a groundbreaking work on economic, social and ecological innovations that provide concrete solutions to make the city a green city.
Brussels invites citizens to get involved
To encourage citizens to make their neighborhoods more sustainable, Brussels-Environment launched the "Citizen Sustainable Neighborhoods" concept in 2008. These are calls for projects rewarded with a grant to develop a global project such as transforming an urban wasteland into a collective vegetable garden, greening sidewalks or promoting zero waste. Today, some 70 neighborhoods benefit from the designation. Calls for projects inviting citizens to get involved are recurrent in Brussels, as is the "Inspirons le quartier" platform, which informs and supports citizens who feel concerned and want to take collective action in favor of the environment and sustainable development.
