Just another metroline?! Brussels: 19 Ambitions for a layered city

JUST ANOTHER METRO LINE?!
BRUSSELS: 19 AMBITIONS FOR A LAYERED CITY
edited by
Tine Van Herck . Violette Baudet
contributions from
Yaëlle Jacobs . Vincent Prats
Babette Wyckaert . Janette Said
Jorg Roets . Sanne Vervaet
Maaike Cauwels . Nele Coen
Ellen Van Mulders . Kai Saillart
Annelie Gaudissabois . Annelien Uvin
Silke Van Bruyssel . Daniella Beltran
Saar Huyghebaert . Valérie Vanwalleghem
Dimitri Voordeckers . Thomas Verheye
Jolien Coppejans
The 2 nd master in urban design and spatial planning at KU Leuven Campus Sint-Lucas
September 2016 . January 2017

006 INTRODUCTION
078 A SELF-SUFFICIENT STREET FOR PEOPLE by Jolien Coppejans
082 BRUSSELS GREEN LINE 1 by Thomas Verheye
086 THE RELAYERED CITY by Dimitri Voordeckers
090 SUBWAY STATION AS NEW SOCIAL SPACE by Valérie Vanwalleghem
METRO LINE 3
094 NO PARKING SPACE BUT PUBLIC SPACE by Saar Huyghebaert
098 CONNECTING THROUGH PLAY by Daniella Beltran
102 ENRICH LOCAL ATMOSPHERES by Silke Van Bruyssel
106 METRO PART OF THE CITY – ART AS INSTRUMENT by Annelien Uvin
110 UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2.0 by Annelie Gaudissabois
2

114 METRO AS SYSTEM FOR WASTE TRANSPORT by Kai Saillart
116 LEARNING ALONG THE METRO by Ellen Van Mulders
120 METRO AS PERSONAL TRAINER by Nele Coen
124 STUDENTS AS MOTOR FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT by Maaike Cauwels
128 DENSIFY THE METRO STOP by Sanne Vervaet
132 BXL, WORLD’S CAPITAL OF SMART MOBILITY : A² by Jorg Roets
136 € 60 MILLION TO SPEND by Janette Said
138 GROWING IS FEEDING by Babette Wyckaert
142 GREEN MESH STRUCTURED BY THE TRANSIT LINE by Vincent Prats
146 100% LINE 03 by Yaëlle Jacobs
3INTRODUCTION

photo: Tine Van Herck

INTRODUCTION
METRO LINE 3
Studio Brussels is the second, and
last, design studio in the 2 nd master in
urban design and urban planning at KU
Leuven, Campus Sint-Lucas. The studio
aims to give students a broad perspective
on todays urban issues. Both research
and design are important components
of the students work.
Central topic is the newly planned
Metro Line 3 in Brussels. A 4 kilometer
long extention to the existing metro
network, running through a great variety
of urban tissues. The studio analysed
the planned Metro Line 3 with an open
and critical attitude. Pros and cons of
this huge piece of infrastructure have
been weighed up thoroughly. Research
and design were focussed on how the
new metro line can be integrated in
the existing urban environment and
add value to society. The final projects
were shown during a 2 day exhibition in
Les Ecuries van de Tram in Brussels in
January 2017. This book is a report of
the design studio, containing a selection
of the studio work.
With this book we aim to invite the
urban planners of the city of Brussels to
consider this huge infrastucture work as
an opportunity for integral urban design,
rather than just a technical engineering
task.
In the summer of 2016 it was
announced that the long planned
extension of Brussels metro system
will finally be installed. The addition
to the existing metro system will be
called Metro Line 3. This line will run
from the North station to Bordet with
seven stops, consisting of one stop
approximately every 500 meters.
The design of this extension dates back
to the year 1969, when the full metro
system of Brussels was planned. It is
foreseen that the first metro train on this
line will run in 2022. Metro Line 3 will
replace the current Tram Line 55. Total
costs of the project: 857 million euros.
(source: hln.be) Metro Line 3 will run
through a very diverse parts of the
city of Brussels, from the city centre
to Schaarbeek and Evere, serving over
250.000 inhabitants.
Todays cities are rich and complex
organisations that consist of multiple
systems: spatial, social, digital, ecological,
etc. It is therefore that the studio has
focussed on a wide range of topics,
using literature listed on the right.
6

When planning such a large metro line,
costing almost one billion euros, the
question rises how this project can be
more than just a piece of infrastructure.
This huge project provides enormous
potential leverage for the city, and
we should be using it. How can the
construction of this new Metro Line
3 add to society? In what way can it
be used for other means than just
connecting people? What is the potential
of the 7 new metro stops?
The studio has formulated 19 ambitions
for the city of Brussels relating to the
new Metro Line 3. Projects can be
roughly devided in a few categories:
food, public space, traffic and transport,
urban facilites, densification. Some
projects are critical about the new metro
line and propose either an alternative
route or a longer track.
Other projects embrace the new metro
line and even propose more stops along
the same track. Yet all projects have in
common that they aim to create a rich
and intelligent relationship between
infrastructure and the city.
Tine van Herck and Violette Baudet
January 2017
Connectivity
MENSINK, Jeroen, ed, Stromen en verblijven, Rotterdam:
Nai/010, 2013
SORT, Jordi Julia, Metropolitan Networks, Barcelona:
Gustavo Gili, 2006
Density and atmosphere
DECLÈVE, Bernard, e.a., Brusselse dichtheden en
woonvormen, Brussel, 2009
REIJNDORP, Arnold and REIJNDERS, Leeke, De
alledaagse en de geplande stad, Nijmegen: SUN-Trancity,
2010
TRÖGER, Eberhard, Density and atmosphere,
Birkhäuser, 2015
Smart cities
HAJER, Maarten and DASSEN, Ton, Slimme
steden, de opgave voor de 21e-eeuwse stedenbouw in beeld,
Rotterdam: Nai/010, 2014
Food
STEEL, Carolyn, De hongerige stad, Rotterdam:
Nai/010, 2011
Metropolitan landscapes
BRUGMANS, George, ed., IABR 2014-Urban by
Nature, Rotterdam, 2014
Leefmilieu Brussel, e.a., Metropolitan Landscapes,
Brussels, 2016
7INTRODUCTION

photo: Jorg Roets

photo: Silke van Bruyssel

photo: Jorg Roets

photo: Yaëlle Jacobs

photo: Vincent Prats

photo: Yaëlle Jacobs

photo: Vincent Prats

Europe.
CONNECTIVITY
source:
Google Maps. (sd.). Brussel. Consulted on https://www.google.be/
maps/
Road Intensity
ROAD INTENSITY
> 60 % occupancy rate
>%60 occupancy rate
< 30 % occupancy rate

Vorst
Oudergem
source:
Hier is
hotspot
ORIGIN
AFRICA
Algeria
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Refugees Guinea
Cameroon
Morocco
Belgium has taken in a
number of refugees Rwanda
in 2015. Somalia, Tunesia Iraq,
ASIA Afghanistan and Iran are
countries from which the most
refugees in Belgium Armenia come.
It is important to China keep in
mind that there are Philippines also a lot
of illegal immigrants. India
Iran
Japan
Libanon
Pakistan
Syria
Turkey
AMERICA
Brasil
Canada
Ecuador
United States
This map shows the inhabitants with a
foreign origin outside of Europe. In Brussels
there are a lot of people with Moroccan
roots, and some with Turkish roots.
Noteworthy is the apparent absence of
inhabitants with their origin in Congo.
source:
FOD Economie. (2016) Buitenlandse bevolking. Consulted on
http://statbel.fgov.be/nl/modules/publications/statistiques/bevolking/
population_etrangere.jsp
Ukkel
Watermaal Bosvoorde
This m
foreig
there
roots,
Notew
inhab
source:
FOD Ec
http://sta
populatio
DIG
A LAYERED CITY
Intern
for pe
nowa
poss
from
the p
scien
The h
quite
outsi
home
DIGITAL
Digital
WORLDWIDE
Free Wifi
FreeWifi
Wifi through providers
Wifi through providers
CIRB. C
brussel
Proxim
Consul
map_a
hotspot
hotspot
Telenet
nl/ontde
Internet has become an essential connection
FLIGHTS
for people, companies and institutions
Direct
nowadays. It is the fastest connection
possible. We cannot imagine being
Indirect
excluded
Stad Br
artdet.c
23

METRO LINE 3
24

PUBLIC NETWORK
It is a widely spread idea that Brussels does
not have much pubicly accesible outside
space. These maps however show the
It is a widely spread idea that Brussels does
not have much pubicly accesible outside
space. These maps however show the
contrary. There is a lot of potential in the
outside public space and the connections
between them. A lot of attention was given
to the making of the car-free zone. Brussels
could also do with a bit more attention for
all the other walkable parts, mainly the
pavements.
contrary. There is a lot of potential in the
outside public space and the connections
between them. A lot of attention was given
to the making of the car-free zone. Brussels
could also do with a bit more attention for
all the other walkable parts, mainly the
pavements.
A LAYERED CITY
source:
Google Maps. (sd.). Brussel. Consulted on https://www.google.be/
maps/
25

DENSITY AND ATMOSPHERE
METRO LINE 3
26

A LAYERED CITY
27

DENSITY & ATMOSPHERE
METRO LINE 3
28

A LAYERED CITY
29

METROPOLITAN
LANDSCAPES
5
e
g.
seperation culture and nature 2016
in this mapping the built spaces and green spaces are indicated.
in the current situation both are just functioning next to each
other, there is barely a connection between nature and culture.
ussels 1947-2015
growth occured in the
ulation was shrinking.
seperation culture and nature 2016
in this mapping the built spaces and green spaces are indicated.
in the current situation both are just functioning next to each
other, there is barely a connection between nature and culture.
tour & taxis
METRO LINE 3
ussels 2015-2020
brussels development zones
0
brussels development zones
ngs will increase
brussels already has some location which they want to develop in
d west side of
the near future. almost all the sites are located next to the zenne.
e
brussels already has some location which they want to develop in
more than 25%.
f
the near future. almost all the sites are located next to the zenne.
.
ssels 2030 & 2060
time. by 2060 we
sides this increase;
s to the suburbs.
or this expansion?
brussels open spaces 2016
metropolitan landscapes aren’t only the green spaces, but all the open spaces.
so this map is showing al the open spaces of brussels. the open spaces don’t stop
at the regional border for eemple. so collaboration between unicipaliteis are
required. as nature they are also talking about open spaces next to highways.
a combinationmap of the open space layer and the development layer. if brussels will develop those sites
these sites, they need tot think about another way of thinking and designing. a way were brussels makes su
30

tour & taxis
A LAYERED CITY
31

this population growth will continue during time. by 2060 we
will notice an increase of more than 27%. besides this increase;
people will move from the innercity of brussels to the suburbs.
the city will expand, but where is the limit for this expansion?
brussels 2030 & 2060 brussels open spaces 2016
metropolitan landscapes aren’t only the green spaces, but all the open spaces.
so this map is showing al the open spaces of brussels. the open spaces don’t stop
at the regional border for eemple. so collaboration between unicipaliteis are
required. as nature they are also talking about open spaces next to highways.
a combinationmap of the open space
these sites, they need tot think abo
THE CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM THINKING
O x
biodiversity
CO x
cycling route
walkway
river buffer
natural filtration
grey water
to develop brussels in a sustainable way we should think the city as a natural ecosystem or a body with many different systems
which is working on different scales within brussels. the open system is a great resource for the built environment since it offers ecosystem servic
METRO LINE 3
current situation tour and taxis - strong seperation of functions
the site of tour and taxis is a zone of conflict between nature and culture. in the current situation there is a strong seperation of functions in which industrie, living area and green have a clear boundary between each other.
100m
32
nele coen - jolien coppejans - yaelle jacobs - vincent prats

conflictzones between development and open spaces
layer and the development layer. if brussels will develop those sites as they are planning, there will be less open space. instad of just blindly develop
ut another way of thinking and designing. a way were brussels makes sure the open space or nature and culutre or built spaces are working together as one.
SO x
CO
NO x
urban farming
biogas
green energy
the closed - loop system thinking
within and in which the output of one system becoumes the input of another one. in other words this is a closed-loop approach,
es. but this closed - loop approach can also go beyond the boundaries of some municipalities, or the regional border or even the belgian border.
CO 2
A LAYERED CITY
CO 2
CO 2
100m
new situation tour and taxis: permeable boundaries - culture and nature as one
on the conflictzone of tour and taxis the closed-loop approach can work. the heat and co2 produced by de industry can work as heating for the
houses nearby and reduces their heating costs. the co2 can also be used for producing alga. these alga can be used in a form of vertical farming.
studio brussels - 2016-2017
33

We don’t sm
is good, now
date at the p
Describing Brusse
FOOD
METRO LINE 3
We mustn’t be consumers of
food we must be co-producers
Carlo Petrini founder Slow Food
Sitopia in Brussels ?
34
Big supermarkets po
the suburbs of the city

ls through Food
p up in
. Funcell
food to see if it
we only check a
ackage.
Carolyn Steel
are named after their use in the Middle Ages.
Map based on:
Vlaamse Overheid. (2016). Opgeroepen op 10 7, 2016, van Geopunt: http://www.geopunt.be/
Food Footprint of Brussels region
1,2 milion
inhabitants
=
9,5 x 162 km 2
Per Vlaming, is er een ruimtebeslag
van 1.282 m² per Vlaming (per jaar) of
3,5 m² per Vlaming per dag.
Scheme based on:
Beleidsdomein Landbouw en Visserij. (2013). Food Footprint Welke oppervlakte is nodig om de Vlaming te voorzien van lokaal
voedsel? Een theoretische denkoefening. Vlaamse Overheid.
A LAYERED CITY
Map based on:
Brussels Observatorium voor Duurzame Consumptie. (2006). Hoeveel kilometers bevat uw bord? Brussel: OIVO.
Traditional food network Supermarkets / Distributioncenter
Social food network Markets / Local food shops
35

distribution).
Traditional food network Agriculture around Brussels
ent religio
shops(e.g
Soci
Traditional food network Agriculture around Brussels
METRO LINE 3
More then a third of the surface of the “ Brusselse rand “ is used for agriculture. There are more then
1000 active farms located in this area. Agriculture takes care of the maintenance of the open space in
the surroundings of Brussels city.
The smalle
still they a
work on th
like regula
packages,
Map based on:
Dewey. (2016). Opgeroepen op 10 8, 2016, van Dewey: http://maps.dewey.be/
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij. Boeren rond Brussel Kansen en bedreigingen voor voedselproductie in de Vlaamse Rand. Leuven
More then a third of the surface of the “ Brusselse rand “ is used for agriculture. There are more then
1000 Waste active farms located in this area. Agriculture takes care of the maintenance of the open space in
the surroundings of Brussels city.
Map based on:
Dewey. (2016). Opgeroepen op 10 8, 2016, van Dewey: http://maps.dewey.be/
Vlaamse Landmaatschappij. Boeren rond Brussel Kansen en bedreigingen voor voedselproductie in de Vlaam
Waste
Scheme based on:
Departement Landbouw en Visserij afdeling Monitorin
36

ns and associated rules have their influence on the presence and differentiation of these
hallal).
Brussels. Something we can also describe as ‘food culture’. We are for example used to buy vegtables
vegetables wrapped in packages in big supermarkets, other people/cultures don’t. Also the different
religions and associated rules have their influence on the presence and differentiation of these
shops(e.g hallal).
al food network CSA / Urban (food) gardens
Social food network CSA / Urban (food) gardens
In the fi
Brussel
to make
Pol
r urban (food) gardens, are not really for nourishing the city (or only in a small amount), but
re part of the alternative food initiatives. (link to visibility). The spatially extended CSA nete
other hand is food production in the city or city based food production. They mostly work
r farms but the big difference is the short chain, direct relation to the consumer (vegetable
growing/harvesting yourself) and the small transportation distances (also link to visibility).
: Vlaamse Overheid. Gr
The smaller urban (food) gardens, are not really for nourishing the city (or only in a small amount), but
still they are part of the alternative food initiatives. (link to visibility). The spatially extended CSA network
on the other hand is food production in the city or city based food production. They mostly work
th
like regular farms but the big difference is the short chain, direct relation to the consumer (vegetable
packages,growing/harvesting yourself) and the small transportation distances (also link to visibility).
se Rand. Leuven: Vlaamse Overheid.
IGood-f
Healthy
roundin
A LAYERED CITY
Sources
Abatoir
Cyclefar
Redacti
EFARM
Good Fo
ANN
g en Studie. (2011). Verlies en verspilling in de voedselketen. Brussel: Vlaamse Overheid.
Sources
Steel, C
Otto, F.
37

SMART CITIES
timeline of important events that affect the evolution and the perception of the city
FIRST TRANSITION PERIOD
SECOND TRANSITION PERIOD
Industrial revolution: sanitary infrastructure
1850
Invention bike
1865
Improvement public health - Garden cities
1898
LIGHT
END 19TH CENTURY
MODERNISM; ciam. Connect architecture
1928-1959
METRO LINE 3
The internet and its seemingly boundless
access to data and information brings
forth many implications and questions
Brussels
about the future. One outcome is the era
of the Smart City, where technology is
utilized to create more efficient systems.
Our team wants to know how might we
The internet and its seemingly boundless access to data and
combine information brings information forth many implications and questions communication
about the
future. One outcome is the era of the Smart City, where technology
is utilized to create more efficient systems. To add to this
discourse, our team wants to know how might we combine information
technology and communication technology with with everyday city life? city How can life? we How
ensure the city is not only more efficient, but also considerate of
human sensibilities? How could the Smart City improve the life of
citizens, and what impacts could it produce globally?
can
The historical
we ensure
evolution of technology
the city
has changed
is
dramatically
not only
over
more
a short time period and has come to affect all of human society. The
internet provides a vast scope of knowledge to so many people in an
instant. With the evolution of the (smart) phone, information is
efficient, literally in your but pocket. also This is a considerate two-way street, however, of given human
the phone owner is also providing data back to the online network
through use of the phone.
sensibilities? The technological evolution How has also brought could forth the new notions Smart about City
virtual space and reality. Sometimes, these arenas become blurred,
as witnessed by the popular “Pokémon Go” application. This virtual
game utilizes existing maps of real places and is connected in such
a way that movement through the virtual world requires movement
improve the life of citizens, and what
through the real world. The game promotes walking and exploration
by providing fun rewards. The affect of people playing games in the
outdoor world has been remarkable, even inspiring, and Brussels is
no exception.
impacts could it produce globally? The
compact energy
historical evolution of technology has
growth efficiency
appropriate
public
density
spaces
changed dramatically over efficient a short time
diversity sustainability mobility
period and has come to affect all of human
social cohesion
connectivity
What should a smart brussels work on?
Smart About Cities
Visualsing the Challenge for 21st C. Urbanism
Maarten Hajer & Tom Dassen
2015
GLOBAL AGENDA
pedestrian
community
friendly
spirit
CONDITIONS
society. The internet FOR CITY provides a vast scope
I. Decouple prosperity of a city from use of resources
communications
health &
PROSPERITY
safety
II. Formulate a persuasive story line
of knowledge to so many people in an
democratic
international
III. Use urban metabolisms to frame decision-making
values innovation
connections
instant. With creative the evolution of the (smart) IV. Focus on crucial role of infrastructure
technology
activities
private
talent
sector
V. Consider smart technologies in context
phone, information is literally in your
VI. Establish an open and collaborative politics
pocket. This is a two-way street, however, VII. Create a globally networked urbanism
given the phone owner is also providing
data back to the online network through use
of the phone. The technological evolution
has also brought forth new notions about
virtual space and reality. Sometimes, these
arenas become blurred, as witnessed by
the popular “Pokémon Go” application.
This virtual game utilizes existing maps
of real places and is connected in such a
way that movement through the virtual
world requires movement through the
real world. The game promotes walking
and exploration by providing fun rewards.
The affect of people playing games in the
outdoor world has been remarkable, even
inspiring, and Brussels is no exception.
exploring possibilities: how to combine these?
Understanding “Pokémon Go” as an
example of a technological tool that engages
people with their built environment inspired
our team to consider how a similar tool
could be built to address some of our initial
questions. The goal for the tool is to move
the engagement beyond play and into an
38

n
THIRD TRANSITION PERIOD
Understanding “Pokémon Go” as an example of a technological tool
that engages people with their built environment inspired our team
to consider how a similar tool could be built to address some of our
initial questions. The goal for the tool is to move the engagement
beyond play and into an improved quality of life.
As Maarten Hajer describes in his essay, “On Being Smart About
Cities,” understanding our urban metabolism is key to connecting
spatial and environmental policy. From his perspective, the best
city, and most prosperous needs to be the one which requires
the least non-renewable INTERNET resources to function. This requires an
1974
awareness of how much and how
Computer:
fast
connection
a city
with the
consumes
world
such resources,
CAR: technology of the future. Suburbs become attractive areas
1975
1945 which is where technology can be particularly MOBILE useful. PHONE: future While communication this
1991
issue needs to be addressed at the global level, it must begin
locally. It must begin with each citizen becoming more aware of
the resources they themselves use on a day-to-day basis. However
learning such information will not gain participation if it is in
any way inconvenient or simply not entertaining enough. As with
improved quality of life. As Maarten Hajer
Pokémon Go, building in rewards can be used to not only attract
describes users in his but essay, could “On Being also spur Smart activity within the local economy.
in
About Cities,” For
motion
more understanding information: our urban this QR image can tell you more about how
technology and urban planning should combine their capabilities.
metabolism is key to connecting spatial and
An area of concern we have with this tool and others that are only
environmental policy. From his perspective,
accessible through the internet is excluding those who are not yet
the best city,
internet
and most
users.
prosperous
It is
needs
expected that soon Wifi will be available
publically throughout a city. We view this as a step forward as it
to be the will one which promote requires more the people least having shared access to knowledge that we
all have a right to.
with urban planning
non-renewable resources to function. This
requires an awareness of how much and
how fast a city consumes such resources,
which is where technology can be
particularly useful. While this issue needs
the next shift in urban thinking: App
to be addressed at the global level, it must
begin locally. It must begin with each citizen
becoming more aware of the resources
they themselves use on a day-to-day basis.
However learning such information will
not gain participation if it is in any way
inconvenient or simply not entertaining
enough. As with Pokémon Go, building in
rewards can be used to not only attract users
but could also spur activity within the local
economy.
Understanding “Pokémon Go” as an example of a technological tool
that engages people with their built environment inspired our team
to consider how a similar tool could be built to address some of our
initial questions. The goal for the tool is to move the engagement
beyond play and into an improved quality of life.
As Maarten Hajer describes in his essay, “On Being Smart About
Cities,” understanding our urban metabolism is key to connecting
spatial and environmental policy. From his perspective, the best
city, and most prosperous needs to be the one which requires
the least non-renewable resources to function. This requires an
awareness of how much and how fast a city consumes such resources,
which is where technology can be particularly useful. While this
issue needs to be addressed at the global level, it must begin
locally. It must begin with each citizen becoming more aware of
the resources they themselves use on a day-to-day basis. However
learning such information will not gain participation if it is in
any way inconvenient or simply not entertaining enough. As with
Pokémon Go, building in rewards can be used to not only attract
users but could also spur activity within the local economy.
A LAYERED CITY
For more information: this QR image can tell you more about how
technology and urban planning should combine their capabilities.
An area of concern we have with this tool and others that are only
accessible through the internet is excluding those who are not yet
internet users. It is expected that soon Wifi will be available
publically throughout a city. We view this as a step forward as it
will promote more people having shared access to knowledge that we
all have a right to.
39

pedestrian zone
overwhelmed car zones
car dominated road
2016
METRO LINE 3
Verboeckhoven
Colignon
Liedts
40

Bordet
Linde
Vrede
Riga
METRO LINE 3
map: Saar Huyghebaert
2016 41

METRO LINE 3
42

METRO LINE 3
mental map: Dimitri Voordeckers
43

METRO LINE 3
conceptual model Liedts
44

LIEDTS
METRO LINE 3
photo: Silke van Bruyssel
45

METRO LINE 3
46

Th
‘Bo
Fir
fin
wh
Fu
ins
are
Th
im
tra
ne
mo
ac
the
Wh
lin
ha
ex
Wh
the
co
Re
infl
on
are
METRO LINE 3
An
ha
Ve
the
a
on
Th
for
wo
for
mental map: Jolien Coppejans
47

METRO LINE 3
photo: Yaëlle Jacobs
48

COLIGNON
BRUISEND BRUSSEL
Een zoektocht naar de stadsidentiteit.
ATTENTION!!!
Ting Ting
Een >ietser haast zich naar het plein, voor het halen van zijn trein.
Mensen zitten rustig in de zon op een terras, met een !link glas.
Spelende en >ietsende kinderen lopen van hier
daar, zonder gevaar.
naar
METRO LINE 3
Een vrouw ligt een boek te lezen in de zon, vanop haar balkon.
PIEUWIEUWWIEUWPIEUWIEUWWIEUW
Een politiewagen - - - - - - - zoeft voorbij, met volle razernij.
Een ouder koppel bekijkt de drukte amusant, vanop een
afstand.
Een stad bestaat uit verschillende dingen groot of klein, traag of snel
Het is moeilijk te beschrijven het is BRUSSEL
Brussel zit vol diversiteit en activiteit,
dat is de kwaliteit van haar identiteit.
Thomas Verheye
49

METRO LINE 3
landmark
insulation
visual point
parking spot
50

METRO LINE 3
mental map: Saar Huyghebaert
51

METRO LINE 3
52

VERBOECKHOVEN
OUT OF CLUTTER, FIND
SIMPLICITY.
FROM DISCORD, FIND
HARMONY.
IN THE MIDDLE OF DIFFICULTY. LIES
OPPORTUNITY.
Albert Einstein
- Albert Einstein
METRO LINE 3
conceptual model: Colignon
53

METRO LINE 3
photo: Silke van Bruyssel
54

RIGA
Niemandsland
An Everyday Tale
Hier is een mens iedereen en niemand.
Het is hier een komen en een gaan.
Hier regeert de dienstregeling.
Alleen vluchtigheid kan hier bestaan.
Tijdelijkheid.
The sky is so contradictory.
Everyday, It tells me a new story.
Alone on the road, Somebody has died I fear.
Lost their job today, another one sheds a tear.
Dejected, a couple’s split is near.
Onverstaanbare gesprekken verwaaien hier,
mengen zich met een zakelijke omroepstem.
Piepende wielen van een bagagekar,
mengen zich met het gillen van een rem.
Geroezemoes.
Hier kan een mens alleen zijn.
Plotseling ontmoet ik iemand,
een niemand die ik niet goed ken.
Ik ben het zelf.
Verbazing.
Cool winds gush in,
A new couple’s nervous grin.
Afar, a new tide has turned.
Nearby, a lost one has returned.
A Screeching cry, a baby has been born.
Decades have passed, some rambling has
never gone.
Today, A million hopes are the norm,
And a trillion dreams are on queue to form.
-Shilpa Mallya
METRO LINE 3
- Albert C M Weijman, 07-10-2015
55

conceptual model: Riga

METRO LINE 3
photo: Daniëlla Beltran
58

LINDE
METRO LINE 3
conceptual model: Linde
59

METRO LINE 3
photo: Vincent Prats
60

VREDE
METRO LINE 3
mental map: Maaike Cauwels
conceptual model: Vrede
61

METRO LINE 3
photo: Vincent Prats
62

BORDET
“The question of what kind of city we want
cannot be divorced from that of what kind
of social ties, relationship to nature, lifestyles,
technologies and aesthetic values we desire.
The right to the city is far more than the
individual liberty to access urban resources: it
is a right to change ourselves by changing the
city. It is, moreover, a common rather than
an individual right since this transformation
inevitably depends upon the exercise of a
collective power to reshape the processes
of urbanization. The freedom to make and
remake our cities and ourselves is, I want to
argue, one of the most precious yet most
neglected of our human rights.”
- David Harvey
METRO LINE 3
conceptual model: Bordet
63

photo: Thomas Verheye

photo: Thomas Verheye

photo: Thomas Verheye

photo: Thomas Verheye

photos: Valérie van Walleghem

photo: Valérie van Walleghem

photo: Valérie van Walleghem

A SELF-SUFFICIENT STREET FOR PEOPLE
Jolien Coppejans
METRO LINE 3
Metro line 3 will ensure a faster
connection between Schaarbeek and
Brussels, can move more people and is
in the long-term more profitable than
tramline 55. The disappearance of the
tramline however will influence the
livability of the concerned street that is
different, unique because of the bunch
of local activities. This makes the project
focus on the street along tramline 55
in which the main goal is to keep and
enlarge the livability. Important is to
create a street for people where public
life can be rediscovered, stimulated and
where the car space is proportional to
the amount of people using the street.
In these times though, with climate
change, the urban heat island effect…
it’s crucial that it becomes more. This
project shows a strong believe in a
synergy between creating a street for
people and creating a self-sufficient
street, a circular economy. The diagram,
figure 2, shows the needed infrastructure
to create this self-sufficiency and figure
1 shows how watersquares, Algae
Paralsols, urban farming… all make sure
that the street becomes an attraction
pole, a street that is more alive than
before, a self-sufficient street for people.
78

19 AMBITIONS
Figure 1: A self-sufficient street for people.
79

A soup shop can digest about 60
ton vegetables/ year...
12 grocery stores thro
Waste of vegetables 120 ton vegetables an
and fruit = 13.2 ton/ year.
...and is able to produce
328 litres of soup a day,
good for 1093 portions.
Leftovers can
be transformed
into
compost.
= 7 ton/year
The bread of the inhabitants can
be transformed into compost.
= 4 ton/ year
Waste of bread,
cakes and cookies
= 116.8 ton/ year
Waste of bread and
cookies = 16.8 ton/ year
10 bakeries throw away
100 ton bread / year.
The inhabitants have
about 13 ton coffee
grounds/ year.
Superfluous fruit can be
given to schools and community
facilities.
(98 kg/ day) = 36 ton/ year
11 ton old bread and
vegetables/ year can be
composted.
The bread outlet can digest
about 42 ton old bread/ year.
This is 1/2 of the wasted
bread by the bakeries.
192 000 k
is dispose
METRO LINE 3
Leftovers of inhabitants and
shops can be digested in the
protein factory.
= 30 ton/ year
3000 kg insects /
proteins =
600 kg phosphor/ year
The phosphor
can be used
for 12 ha of
urban farming.
13 ton bread/ year can be used
in a bread fermentor to revive
energy in which about 26 880
new breads can be baked or
4032 houses can be heated.
By brewing beer from old
bread about 58 ton old bread/
year can be digested in which
4100 bottles of beer can be
made a day.
103 680 kg can be sold again
(54%).
= 103 ton CO2 saved
About 13 ton coffee grounds/
year can be digested in which
2600 kg of mushrooms can be
produced. Also the substratum
is perfect for chicories. About
2400 kg chicories can be produced/
year.
The goods that
can be used cre
shops, studios
= 88 ton C
About 327 ton vegetables and
fruit/ year can be produced by
urban farming. 1/2 of the inhabitants
can be fed.
80

w away about
d fruit / year.
About 440 000 litres water/ day
is used by the inhabitants. For
the majority of the activities
drinkable water is used. This is
not efficient.
40%
30%
(30l/ day/
person) 15%
(44l/ day/ person) (17l/ day/ person)
g / year
d
Food waste
= 60 ton/
year
Organical waste
The consequences of the ‘Heat Island Effect’ is partially
caused by the fact that not enough rainwater can infiltrate.
With watersquares the water could be buffered and infiltrate in the
soil. About 1,7 million liter of water / 1000 m² can be buffered.
With 8 hectares of percolation
fields / reed fields 600 000
litres water / day would be purified.
If everybody would use
rainwater for the toilet and
the washing machine, 45%
of the drinking water would
be saved.
= 198 000 litres water/ day
Superfluous water can
infiltrate in the soil.
Wood
Textiles Electrical
devices
4000 inhabitants
10 bakeries & 12 grocery stores
Heavy rainfall can lead to about
1 355 900 liters of water / hour
(35 mm/hour)
By introducing more bicycle
routes that make good connections
more people will use it.
Reuse by the inhabitants or
for the urban farming.
The algae can be used to make
food (ex. The Algae Factory), to
produce medicins and to advance
city farming.
19 AMBITIONS
can not be sold,
atively in work-
, labs... (46%).
O2 saved
CO2 has a big influence on
climate change, air quality and
the health of inhabitants.
4 % industry en transport
7 % incinerator
15 % private movements
17 % residential
57 % service sector
15% is caused by
transport of persons.
The Metro
reduces the
private
movements.
Algae Parasols can reduce
the CO2 with 275 kg
CO2/ day/ ha algae.
The tram can become an important
form of transport for goods. It can
collect the trash, devide the goods
over the different shops....
It is also possible to use it for evenements,
food markets...
Industry, transport of goods
and incinerators are 11% of
the total CO2 emissions.
17% of the CO2 emmision
is residential.
More energy efficient
buildings (renovation,
solar panels, wind
energy...)
By using the heat that is now ‘thrown
away’ into the river, the heat can be
used to heat the homes nearby. Herefore
the homes need less gass = less
CO2.
Figure 2: Diagram of a circular economy developed to create a self-sufficient street.
81

BRUSSELS GREEN LINE 1
Thomas Verheye
METRO LINE 3
GREEN LINE 1 is the pilot project
which connects the green outskirts of
Brussels and the city center with each
other. Thanks to the construction of
this line between Brussels- North and
Bordet, Brussels will be able to absorb
its population growth in a sustainable
way. This is in a region where the
population is still increasing every
year. This brings the city right into the
21st century, an age in which a green
mobility, health, the environment
and the human dimension plays an
increasing role for large cities. Within
this vision there are 3 objectives:
creating a pleasant and easy walking and
cycling connection, creating new green
public space and creating an identity for
the neighbourhood.
Green veins for the Brussels capital region
Idea to create space for the neighbourhood
Concept Green line 1
82

19 AMBITIONS
Principles Green line 1
83

METRO LINE 3
84

19 AMBITIONS
Green line 1 with 2 zooms (crossing, narrow residential street)
85

THE RELAYERED CITY
Dimitri Voordeckers
METRO LINE 3
Growing urban areas are confronted
with the vital aspect of transportation
for the functioning of the city.
Nowadays, Brussels has a strongly
developed transportation system
with a wide range of transportation
possibilities. The overall policy in
Brussels intends to focus on a high
quantity of transport methods, in order
to arm itself for future developments.
The ambition of this project is not to
focus on the quantity, but on the quality
of the system. By shifting transport
methods, research towards a new
efficient and coherent transportation
system is conducted. A distinction
is made between private and public
transport, where the private transport is
shifted to the underground layer and the
public transport to the surface layer. The
preliminary reasoning is tested as a pilot
project within the area of the planned
metro line 3. The potential added value
on urban experience and on efficiency
is represented by different developed
cases. The main aim of this ambition
is to illustrate the potentials of leaving
the contemporary crusted policy, and to
investigated new layering possibilities of
transport systems.
86

19 AMBITIONS
from layered to relayered
87

METRO LINE 3
88

19 AMBITIONS
potentials of the relayered pilot project
89

SUBWAY STATION AS NEW SOCIAL SPACE
Valérie Vanwalleghem
METRO LINE 3
After a first analysis it seems to be a
good option to move the planned stop
‘Verboekhoven’ to the Josaphatpark.
As the stop ‘Linde’ is located too close
to the stops ‘Vrede’ and ‘Bordet’, this
stop can be eliminated.
After analyzing the environment some
planned stops distinguish themselves as
they could be of more significance to
the environment than merely transport
capacity. Interesting new social space
could occur at the stops at the Brussels-
North station, Josaphatpark and Riga.
A design principle is applied to this
ambition for Brussels. The topic ‘work’
is related to the stop at Brussels-North
station. A design principle with the
theme ‘sports’ is connected to the stop
at the Josaphatpark. Finally, the stop
Riga will become a creativity pool.
4 functions are allocated to each stop.
Subway stop Brussels-North will
become a ‘Co-Working Space’ where
waiting rooms, meeting rooms, lobby
rooms and facilities for taking job
interviews are provided.
The environment near the Josaphatpark
already offers many sports facilities.
This stop provides a fitness, a sitting
space, a park and a climbing wall.
The environment near the Riga stop
provides open studio spaces, thinktanks,
a cafe and exhibition space.
- Many eateries
- Luca School of Arts
- KULeuven Arch. Campus
- Royal Saint Mary’s Church
- Josaphat park
- Sports facilities
- Academy instrum. music
This stop is deleted. Too close
to “Riga” and “Vrede”.
- Main roads
- Shopping mall
- Fitness
- Train station Bordet
Brussel-Noord
Collignon
Riga
Vrede
Liedts
Verboekhoeven
Josaphatpark
Linde
Bordet
- Business district of Brussels
- Public transportation hub
- Kruidtuin
- Town hall
- Public swimming pool Neptuni
- Pogge (statue) Popular figure
- François Riga square
- Schaarbeek station
- Laken: castle, greenhouse, park...
- Two schools
- Goede Herderpark
- Center ‘Espace Toots’
- Vrede square
Scheme after first analysis
90

- Many eateries
- Luca School of Arts
- KULeuven Arch. Campus
- Royal Saint Mary’s Church
- Josaphat park
- Sports facilities
- Academy instrum. music
This stop is deleted. Too close
to “Riga” and “Vrede”.
- Main roads
- Shopping mall
- Fitness
- Train station Bordet
Vrede
Bordet
19 AMBITIONS
Linde
Riga
Verboekhoven
Collignon
Josaphatpark
Brussel-Noord
Liedts
Co-Working Brussels
Brussel-Noord
Collignon
Riga
Vrede
Liedts
Verboekhoeven
Josaphatpark
Linde
Bordet
- Business district of Brussels
- Public transportation hub
- Kruidtuin
- Town hall
- Public swimming pool Neptuni
- Pogge (statue) Popular figure
Vrede
Bordet
- François Riga square
- Schaarbeek station
- Laken: castle, greenhouse, park...
- Two schools
- Goede Herderpark
- Center ‘Espace Toots’
- Vrede square
Scheme elaborated stops
Linde
Riga
Verboekhoven
Collignon
Creative Brussels
Brussel-Noord
Liedts
Wait, Sports Brussels
Planned stops
Elaborated stops
91

METRO LINE 3
Section ‘Co-Working Brussels’
Section ‘Easy-Fit Brussels’
CO-WORKING BRUSSELS EASY-FIT BRUSSELS CREATIVE BRUSSELS
WAITING SPACE
FITNESS
THINK-TANK
Section ‘Creative Brussels’
92

MEETING SPACE
LOBBY AREA
APPLICATION SPACE
SITTING AREA
PARK
Functions ‘Co-Working Brussels’
CLIMBING WALL
19 AMBITIONS
ATELIERS
CAFÉ
Functions ‘Easy-fit Brussels’
EXHIBITIONS
Functions ‘Creative Brussels’
93

NO PARKING SPACE BUT PUBLIC SPACE.
Saar Huyghebaert
Today Brussels is overwhelmed by car
parks that occupy a prominent place
in the public space of the city. My
ambition is to make Brussels more
liveable by creating extra public space.
Therefore it is necessary to change the
mobility policy drastically and to reduce
car parks. Today the car is 95% of the
METRO LINE 3
time stationary. When used, the average
distance is 6 km in Brussels. We overuse
the car which leads to so many problems
such as traffic jams, etc. We know that,
in the coming decades, the population
of Brussels will only grow stronger.
pedestrian zone
overwhelmed car zones
car dominated road
2016
Today’s condition of Brussels trafic.
To ensure that everyone can move in a
safe enjoyable way, without losing more
public space, we have to think about a
new mobility plan. Car sharing is a good
system that still provides private use
but which is at the same time collective.
10 individual cars are being replaced by
pedestrian zone
car sharing zone
free access zone
2035
Application of the car sharing system in 2035.
one shared car. Thereby, private cars can
be slowly banned over the years so that
the public space will grow again. The
metro network itself can also improve
and should be used as an alternative
for trucks. This would also contribute
for a large part in solving the mobility
problem. At the end, this will lead to
more new open and healthier space for
the citizens.
freight distribution
pedestrian zone
car sharing zone
free access zone
2055
Transportation network in 2055.
94

Parking situation along metroline.
- 6.420 parking places
- 93.600 m 2 occupied
10 individual cars
= 1 shared car
2016
Today’s parking situation.
19 AMBITIONS
Parking situation along metroline.
- 6.240 parking places
- 7.900 m 2 occupied
84.234 m 2 free
2055
Future parking situation in 2055.
95

Parking
2016
METRO LINE 3
Public Space in 2016.
Terrace/Supplement Store
Parking
Food
Greenery
Recover Square
Bikesharing
Sport
Playground
2025
Public Space in 2025.
96

Bikelane
Recover Square
2035
Public Space in 2035.
19 AMBITIONS
Distribution Center
2055
Public Space in 2055.
97

CONNECTING THROUGH PLAY
Daniella Beltran
METRO LINE 3
The Metroline 3 will not only improve
movement through northern Brussels,
it will provide opportunities to socialize
in new, fun ways. Accessible places
for play, across the age spectrum,
becomes difficult for a city to offer as
development increases. However, it is
critical that these places exist. Play is
crucial to bonding relationships and
fostering tolerance. Participation in play
has been found to increase a person’s
brain matter. Furthermore, play fosters
creativity and the ability to overcome
challenges.
“We don’t stop
playing because
we grow old, we
grow old because
we stop playing.”
- Geroge Bernard Shaw
Forunately Brussels values play. Brussels
Environment promotes a Games Mesh
strategy that was created in 2014 to
address the uneven distribution of
quality playgrounds and skate parks
across the city.
Connecting Through Play creatively
applies the goals of The Games Mesh
to the accessibility offered by the
Metroline 3, establishing a new play
network. Participation in play can be the
destination, or part of the journey.
Connecting Through . . .
Dance [Liedts]
Daydreaming [Colignon]
Rainy Day Play [Verboekhoven]
The Ups and Downs [Riga]
Play in The Woods [Tilleul-new]
Classic Games [Paix]
Overcoming Obstacles [Bordet]
LARPing [mobile]
Pop-Up Play [project specific]
Site plan for the proposed play network for Northern Brussels
98

Dancing places at Liedts Station
19 AMBITIONS
Prompts to daydream throughout Colignon Station
99

Underground at Liedts Station are large
murals that tell historical tales of dance.
As the rider travels up they will begin to
hear music. Covered stages and colorful
patterns encourage dancing. LED
boards keep the space alive at night, and
feature dance in video. On the stages
are figurines that dance when a user
interacts with motion detectors on the
floorboards. Pop-up demonstrations will
also take place here.
Colignon encourages daydreaming while
riders await their train. This simple
intervention suggests fun can be had
intellectually and during spare time. Fun
ideas can be written down and taken
home or left for others to view on the
Post-It walls underground.
“The Woods” brings a new type of play
place that will attract users region-wide
while providing a central place for locals
who want to engage in both active and
passive play. Attractions include zip
lines, dirt biking trails, paintball fields,
a skate park, rope towers, a sky maze, a
bushcrafting and fishing. “The Grove”
contains these activities safe for younger
participants.
METRO LINE 3
“The Woods” adventure park, a regional play place
100

19 AMBITIONS
Escaping to the former rails, now trails and adventure near the Tilleul stop
101

ENRICH LOCAL ATMOSPHERES
Silke Van Bruyssel
The new metroline will have a big
impact on the different neighbourhoods.
It is a large-scale element which is added
in small-scale neighbourhoods.
METRO LINE 3
On the basis of some interviews we
can conclude that the inhabitants are
afraid of the new metroline which will
be added in their neighbourhood. An
urban designer should be able to see
this as a way to social cohesion in a
neighbourhood. It is necessary that the
atmospheres, characterising the different
neighbourhoods, is maintained, despite
the arrival of the metro.
A place where people use the open space
A pl
A pl
A pl
We can only reach this goal if
the designer looks for the typical
atmosphere per neighbourhood and
uses this in the design of the metro stop.
In that way, the metro will be integrated
into the different neighbourhoods and
the social cohesion can be increased.
A place where people come for administrative reasons
A place where people come to marry
A place where people come to go to the market
A place where people meet
A place where people shop
A place with a lot of multiculturalism
102

A place where it’s quite
A place where are a lot cultural activities
A large open space with big buildings
ace where people are getting to know eachother
ace where children play
ace where people come to relax
19 AMBITIONS
Search the atmosphere of every neighbourhood and use that in the design of each metro station
103

Possible spatial translation for Liedts where it’s important that people can sit and meet eachother, there’s place for extra economical activity and
there’s a link between the underground and groundfloor
METRO LINE 3
Possible spatial translation for Colignon where it’s important that the Town Hall keeps his architectural value, there’s a rustic atmosphere and
there’s place for local activities
Possible spatial translation for Verboekhoven where it’s important that the metro hasen’t got a big influece
104

Possible spatial translation Riga where it’s important that the green character keeps maintained, it stays the heart of the neighbourhood and local
activities can be integrated in the metro
19 AMBITIONS
Possible spatial translation Vrede where it’s important that the focus stays on the cultural atmosphere and the local feeling stays
Possible spatial translation Bordet where it’s important that large-scale elements gets mixed with small-scaled elements and the open area gets used
105

METRO PART OF THE CITY - ART AS INSTRUMENT
Annelien Uvin
METRO LINE 3
This is a call to use art as a possible way
to make the metro a part of the city.
This can be done on three different
layers. The first layer is the city. Except
the entrances of the metrostation, the
connection with this conveyance does
not exist. The second layer are the
stations. These spaces are only used for
waiting and movement from the ground
level to the platforms. The anonimity
here is very large and the social control
is minimal. The third and last layer is
situated on a depth of 25 to 30 meters
below the ground level. This is the layer
of the tunnels. The underground world
has no relation with the life above.
Those three layers have their own world
of existing, who each represent a whole
different public space. By using art, each
layer can make a mutual connection and
blur the hard limits between them. The
art interventions can be as well striking
as quite invisible by trying to reshape the
infrastructure of the metro to make it a
part of the city.
what impact it has on a place or on
people. The main properties that the
art has to posses, are ‘to connect’,
‘to trigger’ and ‘to activate’. These
properties are also noticeable in the
daily life in the city. By bringing these
elements into the metro, the art can
make it a real part of the city.
The second matrix shows where which
properties of the art are most suitable.
It is important to look at the character
of that particular place before randomly
spreading the art/installations. The art
responds to what’s already there.
The section shows with references how
the final image may look when the art
makes the metro a part of the city.
The first matrix shows what art is
needed to make the metro a part of the
city. It shows what the art must do or
New metroline 3 and tramline 55
106

METRO PART OF THE CITY
-
ART as an INSTRUMENT
TO CONNECT
TO TRIGGER
TO ACTIVATE
SPATIAL
VISUAL
PERCEPTION
FUNCTIONAL ...
EMOTION MOVEMENT TO INTERACT
... ...
TO RECOGNIZE
DESTINATION
TO HEAR
IMPRESSION
TO SITUATE
PLACE TO MEET
TO SEE
TO SMILE /
TO SPORT
TO BE HAPPY TO AMAZE TO PLAY
Features that the artwork has to possess, to make the metro a part of the city.
19 AMBITIONS
NOORDSTATION
LIEDTS
RIGA BORDET STREETS
-Business-
-Travel-
-Hurry-
-Urban-
-Public Square-
- A lot of young people-
-Green-
-A lot of young children-
-Playground-
-Shopping-
-Leisure Time-
-Living Area-
CITY
/
PLACE TO MEET
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
SIGHT LINES
TO HEAR
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
IMPRESSION
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
RECOGNITION
SPATIAL CONNECTION
TO SEE
SPATIAL CONNECTION
DESTINATION
TO SEE
PLACE TO MEET
FUNCTIONAL CONNECTION
TO AMAZE
TO SITUATE
TO ACTIVATE
PERCEPTION
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
SIGHT LINES
TO SITUATE
TO SEE
TO SMILE
FUNCTIONAL
CONNECTION
TO SPORT
TO INTERACT
TO HEAR
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
IMPRESSION
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
RECOGNITION
TO MOVE
VISUAL CONNECTION BY
RECOGNITION
TO ACTIVATE
TO SMILE
/
TUNNEL
/
DESTINATION
TO AMAZE
TO SEE
TO SMILE
TO SITUATE
The different character of the places, requires other art properties
107

METRO LINE 3
108

19 AMBITIONS
References in section - Metrostation Riga
109

UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2.0
Annelie Gaudissabois
METRO LINE 3
When we think of a construction site,
we often get negative feelings. But why
is this? Maybe because of nuisances
it brings to the city. Noisy machinery,
a lot of dirt on the ground, closed of
fences, people don’t know what is going
on, etc. We can tell a lot of things that
annoys people about a construction
site. But why is it still done this way if
it irritates so many people? In under
construction 2.0 we created a different
way of handling a construction sites
by using three phases of construction:
before the construction, during the
works and after it’s finished but not
used yet. By using these three phases
we wanted to create a bigger support
system between the construction works
and the people in the neighbourhood.
Know a day’s construction works and
the neighbourhood aren’t connected
with each other. By using a different
approach they can work more together.
110

19 AMBITIONS
111

2018
METRO LINE 3
2019
2020
112

2021
2024
19 AMBITIONS
2022
2025
Visualisation of Liedts. This construction site has been elaborated in
the three fases by using reference project tributing in the theme chosen for
Liedts. Each phase has it’s own reference projects contributing by the
general theme.
113

METRO AS SYSTEM FOR WASTE TRANSPORT
Kai Saillart
METRO LINE 3
When walking around in Schaarbeek
and Evere, something that was really
common were the dirtbags lying in the
streets, accompanied by even more dirt.
With more than 1 million people living
in Brussels, 350.000 Commuters and
3,3 million visitors, the way Brussels
deals with waste is an important issue.
The garbage in the streets damages the
experience of Brussels. This should
be something that needs to change:
collecting waste in a better way so that
it improves the streetscape and the way
people deal with waste. And connecting
all this with the story of metro line 3.
The different stops of metro line 3 in Schaarbeek-Evere
When thinking about how we collect
waste nowadays, it seems absurd and
medieval that we still put the bags
outside of our house and wait for trucks
to pick it up and clean the streets for
us. 450.000 tonnes of waste is what
NetBrussel collects in one year. This
could be different. When thinking about
a new way to deal with waste and how
to transport it, the connection with
the new metro line seems logical. In
the underground infrastructure it is
possible to place pipes and link these
Schaarbeek on friday afternoon: waste in the street
metro line 3 (in green): connection with Brussels airport?
114

with collection points. The pipes
are connected with the bins in
the street and collect waste. This
way people can bring their bags
whenever they want and put them
in the right box and it will be
transported through the vacuum
(!) pipe network by the transport
of air.
The system consists of a number
of collection points, linked together
by piping that transports the waste
to a central collection station. Here
the waste can be further sorted,
reused and can be used for a
further recycling process.
1
2
This idea could start as a pilot
project together with the creation
of metroline 3. It could be
expanded through the whole city of
Brussels. The piping system could
be implemented and connected
through the whole city of Brussels.
If this ambition could become real,
it might be a good idea to be a little
more ambitious in case of metro 3.
It might be a good idea to expand
the scope and make a connection
with Brussels Airport. This is a
popular destination, and also this is
an important point where a lot of
waste is collected everyday.
2. WASTE: For each bag there is a different bin:
organic waste, paper, residual waste and PMD.
19 AMBITIONS
3
3. NEW BOXES TO COLLECT WASTE:
instead of putting your garbage on the
street, you can put it in the collecting
points nearby your metro station.
1. METROLINE 3
A new metro line
will connect the
North station with
Bordet. The line
will follow the
route of tram 55.
The infrastructure
could be used for
a second purpose:
collecting waste.
5. COLLECTION STATION:
the pipes lead to the collection
station. This can be a factory
where the waste is recycled,
but also a new local business
that uses for example the
organic waste to produce food.
5
4
“PUTTING YOUR
GARBAGE IN THE
STREETS
AND GARBAGE
TRUCKS PICKING
IT UP?
THAT IS SO 2016.”
6
4. UNDERGROUND PNEUMATIC
WASTE SYSTEM: the garbage that
comes in the pipes gets collected. When
the vacuum turns on, an air inlet valve
is opened to allow transport air to
enter the system. The bags go into the
horizontal network of pipes and are
sucked to the collection station.
6. NEW ENERGY FOR BXL: one
can produce literally energy out of
the collected waste, but also saved
energy: no more garbage trucks in
the city; a cleaner city and a more
modern approach of collecting
waste.
115

LEARNING ALONG THE METRO
Ellen Van Mulders
The current need for new schools in
Brussels is highest in Sint-Joost-ten-Node
Van Praet
Noord
Linde
Bordet
and Schaarbeek, the future need will be
highest in Evere due to demographic
schools+metro 3
primary school
high school
growth.
METRO LINE 3
Brussels needs high capacity schools
and also schools that offer an alternative
teaching method. They should provide a
stimulus to the neighborhood by offering
a multifunctional use after school hours,
linked to the surrounding’s potential. The
buildings should be located, oriented and
sized in such a way that they themselves
can be transformed if ever the school
demand lowers again.
public transport
metro (600m)
tram (300m)
Where to plan these large schools? Some
current schools can be expanded (but
few are suitable), office buildings can be
reconverted and most importantly, large
scale city projects should include new
schools.
possibilities
city project
empty offices
school expansion
These new city projects and also all (high)
schools need good public transport. The
centre itself has a large enough offer of
public transport. So if there needs to be
a metro 3 at all, it should make a quick
connection between the northeast and the
city centre.
new schools, new metro (source: own material)
116

offices (rented)
terrace
offices (empty)
entrance hall and cantine
roof playground
cantine and library hall
classes, chill zone and startups
terrace
classes and chill zone
polyvalent room and playground
entrance and gym
20m
Noord: empty office building before (top), business school, startups and offices now (bottom) (source: own material)
19 AMBITIONS
startups
offices
housing
leisure & culture
high school
Noord: empty office tower to offices shared with start-ups and 2000 student high school (source: own material)
117

empty grassfield
dated school building,
undersized and completely
paved playground
empty park
METRO LINE 3
20m
community center and
garden
roof garden
food lab and workshop
kitchen and cantine
orchard playground
workarea and classes
entrance and multi-use
gym
adventure park
Linde: in need of renewal before (top), primary school with a food theme now (bottom) (source: own material)
primary school
leisure and culture
Linde: 300 pupils primary school and kindergarten becomes 800 pupils school interacting with the neighborhood (source: own material)
118

9
3
2
8
7
6
1
4
19 AMBITIONS
5
1
The gym in the new building exists of a 9m high sports hall
and is accessible from outside. Adjacent are the changing
rooms,... and a large ‘dojo’. This last room can also be used
for relaxation activities like snoozling.
5
The kindergarten is located in the renovated old school with
the two orchards as part of their space. These orchards are
open after hours and for the harvest the school organizes a
big neighborhood festival.
2
The 300m² entrance on top of the dojo doubles as a 4m high
multipurpose room with play installations and looks out on
the gym.
6
The cantine (360m²) can be found between the two orchards,
it is part of the food themed section of the building that is
accessible for the public.
3
4
Seven floors relocate the primary school from the old building
to the new. On each floor there are five spacious classrooms
(75m²) that form a community with its own multi-use hall
where the sanitary and smaller collaboration rooms can be
found.
The teaching staff, direction, library and video room can be
found on the ground floor and first floor, behind the gym
and entrance.
7
8
9
A new roof along the first floor provides covered outdoor
space for the kindergarten (located on the groundfloor) and
doubles as circulation for the first floor.
Above the cantine there is a food lab and a workshop. Visitors
can attend food happenings and lab sessions after school
hours and in the weekends.
The roof garden and greenhouse with hydroponics are part of
the educational project of the school but also open for visits
during food happenings.
Linde: exploded view (source: own material)
119

METRO AS PERSONAL TRAINER
Nele Coen
METRO LINE 3
People are getting fatter and fatter and
move less. Nearly half of the Brussels
population is obese. What is the reason
behind this growing bulge? Are the
existing sports not accessible enough?
There are different sports clubs,
swimming pools, ... but these functions
are only available if you are registered in
a sports club or paid entrance fee. The
price makes the threshold for certain
populations too high. The current sports
opportunities are located in the center
of Brussels and around the surrounding
parks. Along the planned subway route
aren’t enough sports facilities.
The work for the metro will be an
opportunity here to change that,
combined with the construction of
the underground, a sport network can
be created. By placing the sport in the
public space the threshold is reduced.
This network will be built on the basis
of 11 principles and 4 scales (metro/
metrostation/neighborhood/Brussels).
These principles all affect on how
people will move through space and will
be encouraged to play sports.
36% 28%
36%
Graphics obesity and movement
Only 36% of the population (age 15 and older) spend at least 30
minutes each day at exercises. 30 minutes is the daily recommended
minimum amount of exercise. 28% of the population (age 15 and
older) don’t do any kind of exercise in their free time. This leads to
health risks. Due this lack of exercises 48 % of the population is
overweight and 11% of them are obese.
Source : Gisle, L., Demrest, S. (ed.), 2013, Gezondheidsenquête 2013, Rapport 2: Gezondheidsgedrag en
leefstijl, Brussel, Wetenschappelijk instituut volksgezondheid
Source : Algemene Directie Statistiek en Economische Informatie, 2008, Statisch overzicht van België:
Kerncijfers 2008, Brussel, FOD Economie
Interference
Size
of
interference
Day or night
influence
11%
37%
Groups
or
individual
Accesable
(public transport)
48% 52%
Passive or active
interference
Goal audience
Influence
on
environment
Matrix potential interventions
These interventions have a different impact on eg. the goal audience,
employability, ... This analysis was decisive in the choice of
interventions for the sport network.
120

1. The seats in the subway have been
reduced to a minimum and replaced with
poles, sitting balls, swings and a plate
on rollers. These elements ensure that
we have to make an extra effort on the
metro and will therefore contribute to
our minimun of 30 minutes of exercise
a day.
Principle 1. Interference in metro
2. By removing the escalators and
replacing them with ordinary stairs,
people are obliged to exercise more.
There will be an elevator in each subway
station, though it will come slower.
Principle 2. No more escalators
3. All passive rest areas have been
removed from the metro stations and
were replaced by stairs, fire poles, slides,
swings, music tiles, sitting balls ...
This way people will think about their
sport pattern while waiting on the metro.
19 AMBITIONS
Principle 3. Interference in metro stop
121

METRO LINE 3
4. What could be easier than a mero stop
located in a sports center. By combining
these functions, the threshold in order to
work out is reduced.
5. By making small changes in metro
stations, the space will be experienced
differently and people will move more.
6. Today the subway stops at closely
spaced intervals, at only 15 minutes
walk from each other. Is this density
necessary, can’t we walk that far
anymore? The metro still works by
reducing the amount of stops.
± 15 min.
Principle 4. Metro stop coming out in gym
Principle 5. Measures for movement
Legend
Plannend metro stops - Line 3
New metro stops - Line 3
± 15 min. ± 15 min. ± 15 min.
7. Many parents put their children off
by car at school. They don’t let their
children walk or bike to school, because
it is too dangerous. But what if there is
a pedestrian street between a metro stop
and the school. Children can start the
day on a fit and safe way.
Today
2025
± 15 min.
± 30 min.
± 30 min.
Principle 6. Spreading out of metro stops
122

Principle 7. Pedestrian street from metrostation to school
8. The ideal place to spend your leisure
time or for sports. This park has a large
running track, sportfields, skating place,
... This diversity ensures that it is the ideal
place to work out.
9. Along the metro line it isn’t always
possible to provide open air sports. The
existing infrastructure is often not public.
In the urban fabric however are large
roofs and basements that aren’t used, we
can fill them with sports.
19 AMBITIONS
Principle 8. Sportpark
Principle 9. Different use of roofs/basements around metroline
Today
2025
Greenwalk
Brussels
Cycling fastlane
Brussels - Leuven
Cycling
Network
Principle 10. Cycling network
10. A large bicycle network through
Brussels, utilizing the existing green walk
and fietsostrade to Leuven, plus some
new routes to make Brussel bicycle
friendly.
Principle 11. Additions MIVB app
11. Sport supplement to the STIB app
ensures that people are encouraged to
start moving. As a reward they earn
points. These points can be exchanged for
a ticket or a discount on a subscription.
123

STUDENTS AS MOTOR FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Maaike Cauwels
METRO LINE 3
Vacancy of houses and offices, the
extension of metroline 3 and the need
of student housing are three of the
many challenges Brussels is facing. How
can these challenges result in one big
potential for Brussels? My ambition
consists of giving vacant buildings and
offices a second life through temporary
student housing with the metroline as
a dynamic support. The groundfloor
of the student housing consists of a
common space where students and city
dwellers can meet. I want to use student
housing as an opportunity to activate
the neighborhood and to stimulate living
together. The collective space will create
financial stability, strenghten the
community and set up interaction with
the city dwellers and the city. Every
metrostop has a different scale and
dynamic. To define the placement and
implementation of student housing
in vacant buildings, there are 4 criteria
(scale, dynamic, presence of colleges and
vacancy). The metroline can become
a dynamic axis where vacant buildings
are replaced by vibrant student houses
with collective spaces to strenghten the
neighborhood and create a social mix.
Thanks to the metro the student houses
won’t become an island on its own, but
will be connected to the city.
VACANCY + EXTENSION METROLINE 3 + NEED OF STUDENT HOUSING
BRUSSEL-NOORD LIEDTSPLEIN COLIGNON
VERBOEKHOVEN RIGA VREDE LINDE
VERBOEKHOVEN RIGA LINDE
BORDET
VERBOEKHOVEN RIGA LINDE
++++ +++ ++
SCHAAL
DYNAMIEK BRUSSEL-NOORD ++++ ++++ ++
LIEDTSPLEIN Schaal Schaal COLIGNON
LIEDTSPLEIN
LIEDTSPLEIN SchaalCOLIGNON
++ ++
COLIGNON
COLIGNON ++
BRUSSEL-NOORD BRUSSEL-NOORD LIEDTSPLEIN LIEDTSPLEIN VERBOEKHOVEN COLIGNON COLIGNON
VERBOEKHOVEN VERBOEKHOVEN RIGA
Schaal ++ ++
RIGA
+
++
RIGA VREDE LINDE
+ +
LINDE VREDE LINDE
VREDE
+++
BORDET
BORDET
++
BORDET
++
CALE SCALE SCALE
SCHAAL SCHAAL
SCALE
DYNAMIEK DYNAMIEK
++++
SCHOLEN ++++ ++ -
++++ +++ +++ Dynamiek
+++
LEEGSTAND ++++ ++++ +++ +++ -
++++ +++ ++
++++ ++++ ++++ Scholen
++
++++ ++++
Dynamiek
Dynamiek +++ ++
Scholen
++ ++
++
++ ++
++ ++
+++
++
+
+++ ++ ++
Dynamiek ++
++
Scholen ++
++ +
++
+
-
++ +
+
+
++
+++
+++
++
Schaal
+++
+ ++ - -
Scholen
+ ++ -
YNAMICS DYNAMICS DYNAMICSCHOLEN
DYNAMICS
++++ ++++ ++++ ++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++ ++++ Leegstand
++++ Leegstand
+++ -
Leegstand
++ +++ ++ +++ ++
++
++ ++
Leegstand +++ ++ ++ ++
++
++ ++ ++
++
++
+++
++
Dynamiek
++
++ -
++
++ +++ + +++ OLLEGES COLLEGES COLLEGES COLLEGES
LEEGSTAND ++ ++
++++ ++++
++ ++ ++
++
++ ++ ++ -
- + - + - + - ++ ++ ++ - -
-
- -
-
-
Scholen
-
++ -
Leegstand
+ +++
ACANCY VACANCY VACANCY VACANCY ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++ ++ ++ ++ -++ - ++ - ++ - +++ +++ +++ + ++ ++ + ++
+++
+++
every metrostop has its own influence circle depending on 4 criteria
124

STUDENT HOUSING
COLLECTIVE SPACE
FOR STUDENT & CITY DWELLER
Functions that need to be aligned with the
needs and dynamics of the neighborhood.
example of student housing in Vrede with a common space based on a small scale and dynamics
19 AMBITIONS
common space in the student house in Vrede: working spaces for student and entrepreneurs of the neighborhood
125

METRO LINE 3
example of student housing in Brussel-Noord with a common space based on the interaction between workers and students
126

example of student housing in Riga with a common space based on the presence of a college
19 AMBITIONS
common space in the student house in Riga: library and study/reading place where citizens and students meet
common space in the student house in Brussel Noord: place for students and workers with coworkingspaces, meeting spaces, bar
(axonometry on the left)
127

DENSIFY THE METRO STOP
Sanne Vervaet
METRO LINE 3
This project focuses on the future
densification of the city of Brussels.
The population growth in Schaarbeek
is increasing with 18,17 % by 2030. 1
The planned metro line can be an
appliance to densify the area around
the stop. In this way the metro stop
becomes the point of departure for
the densification of the area. In order
to know which stops are qualified to
be the bearer of densification, a small
research was held for each stop. This
resulted in the cancellation of four
stops (Liedts, Colignon, Linde en
Vrede) and the replacement by two
new stops (Houffalize and Stroobants).
The new proposal of metro line 3
is based on the metro stops, which
have the best opportunities to densify
their environment. This new metro
line has a length of 4 kilometers and
contains 6 stops. All the metro stops
have an influence zone of 300 metres
around this stop. This area is the most
susceptible to densification. General
principles to obtain a sustainable
densification are written down. In this
project, the stop ‘Verboekhoven’ will
be designed and will serve as a strategic
example for the other stops.
1
www.observatbru.be
New proposal metro
Influence zone new metro proposal
New proposal metro line 3
This scheme represents the proposal of the new metro line. Based on the
documentation of stop, four stops (Liedts, Colginon, Linde en Vrede)
will be canceled and replaced by two new stops: Houffalize and
Stroobants. The yellow circles around the metro stop represent the influence
zone. This zone has a distance of 300 metres around the stop
and will be influenced the most by the densification of the area.
Influence zone metro stops (300 meters around stops)
EXPECTED AMOUNT OF HOUSING UNITS BY 2030: 140
(source: GDOP Brussels Gewest)
Documentation of metro stop ‘Verboekhoven’
128

Tramline 32
Railway station
Metro stop
The densification is connected with a developed
public transport system and the surrounding
public space
Plenty of green for the
inhabitants
Vacant buildings can be reused as
housing units or (temporary)
commercial facilities
19 AMBITIONS
Densification is combined with
the development of new urban
facilities
A social mix is necessary to obtain a
sustainable densification
Principles of densification: translated to stop ‘Verboekhoven’
129

Phase 0: 2016
1657 units and 4076 inhabitants
58,60 units and 144 inhabitants per hectare
Phase 1: 2030
1797 units and 4420 inhabitants
63,55 units and 156 inhabitants per hectare
METRO LINE 3
Phase 2: 2050
1997 units and 4912 inhabitants
70,63 units and 173 inhabitants per hectare
Phase 3: 2070
2197 units and 5404 inhabitants
77,70 units and 191 inhabitants per hectare
existing
building
parcel
railway
zone
tram
line
commercial
school
culural
new
housing
social
housing
shared
space
public
green
vacancy
Phases of densification ‘Verboekhoven’
130

The design of the ‘Verboekhoven’ stop
and its environment consists of four
phases. Each year, the Brussels Capital
Region has a need of 6000 houses. 2
When we calculate the need for this
area, each year 10 houses will be needed.
Phase 0 is the current situation in 2016.
In the first phase, 140 housing units are
build by 2030. The shared space around
the metro stop is defined by building
blocks, commercial facilities and three
new buildings. The shared space is made
out of one material and is an area where
the vulnerable road users have priority.
The vacant buildings will also be reused
and renovated in this phase. By 2050,
the second phase, another 200 housing
units are added to the urban fabric. This
period focuses on closing the existing
building blocks were possible. Also
the height of some buildings will be
extended and a new ‘tower’ filled with
lofts, regular and social apartments
will be developed. In the third and last
phase, which takes place in 2070, two
new building parcels and blocks will be
developed in the urban fabric. In order
to obtain these new housing units, the
current railway has to be covered. A new
street will divide the housing blocks into
two. Housing units will also be added
on top of commercial facilities. This last
phase will provide 200 housing units.
Over a period of 54 years, 540 housing
units will be added.
2
www.gpdo.be
Pictures of model
19 AMBITIONS
131

BXL, WORLD’S CAPITAL OF SMART MOBILITY: A²
Jorg Roets
METRO LINE 3
Metroline 3, solving the future by
following a plan of the past? This
proposed design gives a modern strategy
to solve Brussels’s mobility problems by
not being conservative. We have to be
open to the fastest growing revolution:
smart technology.
We have to create a logical and
hierarchical structure where the law of
the most sustainable is legible. If we
want to change the streets from a monofunctional
space to a multi-functional
place we have to transform the way
streets urge. The autonomous shared car
is so revolutionary that it cannot only
change the way we move, but completely
change private- and public spaces. So
I suggest to think in advance, work
together and strengthen each other, so
every player in the quadruple helix gains.
The problem isn’t the movement but
the possession of the product that gives
us this service. If we design a system
that gives us the same luxury of getting
from A to B but without the cons of
a personal car and with new privileges
why wouldn’t the public change? In this
summary and the associated website you
can see and read what a city, with the
impulse of good spatial planning, can
do to stimulate this way of moving and
create ‘More City’.
existing and proposed hierarchical structure of the streets
Don’t think of a new car, think of new mobility, mobility as a service,
not a possession
caption in english aligned rigth from image
revolutionary autonomous shared cars can change the city completely
132

19 AMBITIONS
schematic representation of the transformation of the city in the four phases
Four phases of transition with the according mindset towards A 2 and the actual changes in the streets
caption in english aligned rigth from image
133

Phased transformation of a big local street in Brussels
Phase 1
Phase 1: This is a two-way street with parking spaces on both sides. In this street 75% of
the street is designed to serve private cars. There is no dedicated cycling space so cyclists have to
claim their place in a car dominated environment. The street is a grey place that is merely for
transportation.
Phase 2
METRO LINE 3
Phase 2: One parking lane is transformed into a dedicated bike road, this is possible with the cost
of a bucket of paint. By giving cyclists a save and private place in the streets, they don’t have to
fight cars or pedestrians to move around. Biking is stimulated. A² is introduced in the streets and
is competing with cars. In the other parking lane, parking’s that are exclusively for A² vehicles are
introduced to give this method advantages and to discourage private car use.
Phase 3
Phase 3: Parking lanes are completely removed in the streets. The A² transport can go in both
ways, but the private car is only capable of moving in one direction. Thereby the system becomes
extra efficient and reliable. Private car use is discouraged by making it very difficult to move
around and park. The first trees are introduced in the streets to create a more pleasant space.
Biking is stimulated by giving cyclists a good, save and dedicated place to move.
134

Phase 4
19 AMBITIONS
Phase 4: The streets becomes completely car free. Only A² transport is permitted on 30% of the streetscape. The other 70% of the streets is designed to
serve on a human scale. Bike lanes are created on both sides to create a functional and qualitative place. A new street concept ‘common slow traffic’ is
introduced in the streets. This is a shared place between the walkway and the bike-road. This is an extra bruto-space for both, that can be used if needed (to
pass by another biker, walk with 3 next-to each other…) This space is also serving as a temporary place where A² vehicles can station for max 15minutes
to unload goods, but A² is guest. This strip is also the ideal spot to place trees and benches. It is a very multifunctional space that’s serving humans, not cars.
See more transformations on http://jorgroets.wixsite.com/futuremobilitybxl
135

€ 60 MILLION TO SPEND
Janett K. Said
Time has changed the neighborhood,
the need for the Tilleul and Paix stations
is currently overshadowed by the need
to improve the state of social housing
in the areas north of these planned
stations. We propose merging the two
stops into a single station 120 mts. north
of the original route alignment. This
proposal would bring the metro closer
1,084,635
2,379,035
5,554,195
to high-density residential areas.
557,166
669,386
METRO LINE 3
Further, the proposal reinvests leftover
funds to address the original intention
of the line expansion: improving the
1,923,428
13,556,595
7,880,216
Euro 3,597,273
quality of life in the neighborhood.
Inspired by successes found in
communal facilities used by cohousing
programs in other European cities, the
project propose to retrofit currently
blighted ground-level sites in social
housing buildings and replace them with
a network of communal-use facilities to
help mitigate the lack of amenities and
Financial details of proposal
services in the area. The proposal also
seeks to empower existing resident-led
Schaerbeek
initiatives focused in urban agriculture
and ecology, while improving public
spaces and making a more efficient use
Liedts
Verboekhoven
Colignon
Riga
Doolegt
Tilleul
Paix
Bordet
of open areas.
Noord
Scheme of proposed changes
136

Common Room East & West (2)
6,778 sq. mt. | € 13,556,594
State of the art large shared kitchens,
subsidized laundry, playrooms, free
coffee, wi-fi. Accesible through ground
levels, not limited to social housing
residents.
Sheltered Flex
Outdoor Space
7,693 sq. mt. | € 1,923,427
Picnic, weekly market,
summer grilling areas.
Year-Round Community
Gardening Program (7)
4,338 sq. mt. | € 1,084,635
Infrastructure, funding for seeds,
workshops, and maintenance for
resident-managed urban gardening
sites within walking distance from
every high rise.
Community Workrooms (2)
3,940.11 sq. mt. | €
7,880,216
Neighborhood flex space
for meetings, coworking,
group event space, reading
rooms, continuing education
workshops. Expanded
access to wifi, computers,
printing, and free coffee.
Communal Fun Room (1)
1,798 sq. mt. |
€3,597,273
Ground floor-accessible
playroom areas, homework
stations and an
elderly gaming space.
Small party rental spaces
and film projections.
Discovery Orchards
& Gardens (5)
9,516.14 sq. mt | € 2,379,035
Features that make the neighborhood
a destination. A science-oriented
ecological multigenerational
learning experience about plants
and trees native to the region.
Accessible Regional
Playground (1)
2,228 sq. mt. | € 557,166
Playground spaces accessible to
individuals with special needs, within
close proximity to the school and
metro station.
Greenroof Terrace (1)
2,089 sq. mt. | € 5,554,195
A walk-up green
outdoor seating area,
with a partially sheltered
seatingzone for winter use.
Playgrounds (8)
2,677 sq. mt | € 669,386
Playground spaces
visible from
community rooms
19 AMBITIONS
Summary of proposed station and neighborhood improvements
137

GROWING IS FEEDING
Babette Wyckaert
METRO LINE 3
In history, cities where shaped by
food, Brussels was one of them.
Back then, some remarkable positive
features, related to food production and
consumption, were present. There was
a proximity and visibility of food. Food
was accessible in the city and citizens
knew where it came from, partly because
of a direct relation of consumer and
producer (e.g.: local markets). Finally,
food was transported in what we now
call a ‘sustainable’ way. Is it possible for
Brussels to get back the positive aspects
of food production/consumption of
the city history? In order to achieve this,
we have to deal with some difficulties
Brussels is undergoing right now
regarding its foodsystem (e.g.: lots of
export instead of local selling). This
design introduces three measures as a
possible combined intervention: creating
a continuous productive urban landscape
(CPUL) by connecting open/green
spaces and productive land in/outside
the city, densification of the landscape
borders and connecting people with
food by sustainable transport. The
possible intervention is shown in 2
sections crossing the city along different
densities, landscape, borders,...
Issues
Population growth creates
the need of densification
and an increased food
production
Limited proximity of
fresh food towards the
city
Possible interventions
Connecting agricultural land outside
of Brussels with productive land and
open/green spaces inside. Creating a
continuous landscape that is a
support for local food
production/consuption. CPUL
(continuous productive landscape)
Using the borders of the
continuous landscape for
densification
Food produced in Brussels and
the near surroundings is
mainly exported and is not
sold locally. The
transportation of the food is
not sustainable (car)
No direct relation between
consumer and producer (consumer
does not know where the food is
coming from)
Sustainable transport
train/metro/tram (in one
system) for the
transportation of food &
people
Issues and possible interventions for the Brussels local food system
138

Making a hard border towards
the CPUL by adding a logistic
building strip.
A local food market for the
neighborhood.
Transition of the urban
fabric to the productive
agricultural landscape by
means of an edge formed by
densification and recreation
Making a hard border towards
the CPUL by closing the
building line (by using
housing).
Foodhub as a local
collecting and selling point
19 AMBITIONS
The border towards the CPUL
is a blurred line where
densification and landscape
are merged.
Transition of the urban
fabric to the productive
agricultural landscape by
means of an edge formed by
an ecological district
Metroline 3 as a part
of a sustainable
transportsystem
(lightrail) for food
and people, to
connect food and
people.
Sections crossing different densities, borders, landscape and foodhubs
139

Using small
vegetable gardens
as an educational
element for the
surrounding
schools.
Integrating food
production in the
park (small
vegetable
gardens).Increasing
the visibillity of
food in the city.
Closing the
building line with
social housing
including urban
agriculture/small
food production.
METRO LINE 3
Collective
transition
between park
and residential
area.
A green
parking
place for
residents.
Integrating food
production in
the park (with
orchards and
small vegetable
gardens).
An extension of
the Josaphat park
in the form of an
eco-productive
park.
Densification
with more -and
single-family
dwellings.
Zooms showing borders urban fabric and productive landscape (high density area)
140

Extension of the
tramline as a part
of a lightrail
network.
The foodhub as a
direct local
selling point
for the
residents of
Brussels.
Lightrail as a
Sustainable
transport of
goods and people
towards the
foodhub.
The foodhub as a
food collecting
point for local
Brussels farms.
Nursery
research garden
for future food
development.
19 AMBITIONS
Community gardens,
orchards and small
cattle pastures as a
transition towards
the productive
landscape.
The ecoquarter
as a
self-sufficient
neighborhood.
Green parking
place for
residents.
Multiple family
homes designed
according to the
Trias Energetica
as a typology in
the quarter.
Zooms showing borders urban fabric and productive landscape (low density area)
141

METRO LINE 3
GREEN MESH STRUCTURED BY THE TRANSIT LINE
Vincent Prats
Many challenges can be foreseen in a near
future like climate change and peak-oil. If
Brussels wish to continue to thrive pressure
must be therefore emphasised on the urban
fabric so as to mitigate these hindrances.
Therefore my aim is to mitigate these
challenges by questioning and revising the
planned metro line 3 so it becomes the
backbone of a green mesh that integrates
more sustainable mobility patterns and
nature-based collective spaces.
The favoured strategy is to adapt the transit
system and the public spaces through a
Like a mesh
social-ecological approach. This approach
looks for synergies between ecological
and socio-spatial systems. Nature offers
ecosystem services that can help to make
Brussels prepared for the future challenges.
The proposed infrastructure is a hybrid
between the planned metro line and
the existing tram 55 (removed). It runs
underground up to Colignon and then
aboveground using mostly the existing
the two feet
railtracks.Why not the metro line? Simply
because it is very expensive especially since
all the pre-metro stations must be retrofitted.
It is also not a flexible infrastructure and it is
long to implement. So my proposal enables
to save money and reinvest it in a green
mesh that connects important green spaces
and can improve citizens’ well-being.
LESS
IS
MORE
the green trails cling to
each transit station
The transit line
is also a green trail in itself
The green trails
favor the two wheels and
Complemented
with cycleways
Revision of street
hierarchy
Avenio: 72 metres
457 passengers
Both underground
& aboveground
GARE DU NORD
Laeken park
5 stations
LIEDTS
Underground station
No ch
pre-m
142

Like a mesh
BOA : 94 metres
728 passengers
FAVOR STRAIGHT
LINE
the green trails cling to
each transit station
Laeken park
Like a mesh
The transit line
ange to the existing
etro stations
OFF
CAR TRAFFIC
the green trails cling to
each transit station
Laeken park
is also a green trail in itself
Like a mesh
The transit line
The green trails
FEWER
the STATIONS green trails cling to
each transit station
is also a green trail in itself
favor the two wheels and
the two feet
No need to dig all
the way to Bordet
Laeken
The transit line
The green trails
is also a green trail in itself
favor the two wheels and
the two feet
The green trails
favor the two wheels and
the two feet
19 AMBITIONS
GAR
LIEDTS
Underground
GARE DU NORD
LIEDTS
Underground Cemetery station
A
GARE DU NORD
Albert park
Josaphat park
COLIGNON
Aboveground station
Bois de la Cambre
RIGA
PAIX
BORDET
The transit line : the backbone of a green mesh, V. Prats 2016
143

NATURE-BASED DESIGN TOOLS
DITCH ALONG A CARLESS STREET
Focus
Focus
Range
L
Range
L
Functions
Functions
METRO LINE 3
NATURE-BASED Liedts, a living DESIGN spot to TOOLS be supported
GREEN WALL & SWALE
By having an underground station railways are
DITCH ALONG A CARLESS STREET
removed thus freeing space that can be given
Focus
Focus
Range M
Range L
Functions
Functions
PERGOLA, STONE & WOOD LOG
FRUIT TREE & PERMEABLE RAILTRACK
back to the citizens. It turns the crossroad
from a flow-based and unhospitable space to a
pedestrian-oriented hotspot. The commercial
liveliness and the continuous traffic of pedestrians
already make this space living but it needs a
little facelift to support that.
Focus
Focus
Range
Range
Functions
Functions
M
L
Adaptation measures
ECODUCT ALONG A CARLESS STREET
GREEN WALL & SWALE
Swale
FRUIT TREE & PERMEABLE RAILTRACK
Permeable railtrack / Fruit tree
6
Focus
Focus
Range
Focus
S
Range
Focus
L
Functions Range M
Stormwater basin
Functions STORMWATER BASIN & FLOWER BEDS
Functions Range M
Multifunctional entrance
Functions MULTIFUNCTIONAL ENTRANCE
PERGOLA, STONE & WOOD LOG
ECODUCT ALONG A CARLESS STREET
Focus
Focus
Range
M
Range
S
144
Functions
Focus
Functions
Focus

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bike parking
Metro entrance &
sitting steps
Villo station
Stormwater basin
Permeable railway
Green swale
Cycleway
Zone 20
0 10 20 30 m
8
1
2
3
7
19 AMBITIONS
4
5
0 10 20 30 m
Proposed design for Liedts, V. Prats 2016
145

100% LINE 03
Yaëlle Jacobs
METRO LINE 3
In history all open spaces within
Brussels were used by pedestrians. Over
time more and more space became
monopolized by cars, buses, tramlines
and bikes. This lack of open space
in combination with the increase of
inhabitants in Brussels, demands a new
kind of integrated transport system
that needs to be developed. All the
different methods need to be combined
and the new metroline completes the
whole transportation system. This new
metroline has to be designed in a smart
way. 100% Line 03 is the ambition for
this new metroline. 100% Line 03 has
four main topics to concentrate on.
First a more complete network than the
proposed extension of line 03 needs to
be designed. Later the dens line requires
a slow and fast track to increase the
efficiency. All the metrostops are located
in different neighbourhoods, which
results in metrostops working on three
different scales. Last, because of the
density of 100% Line 03, a different line
during different moments of the day is
developed.
100% Line 03 is working with some
general design conditions placed in a
matrix. Three stops, with different scales
were designed as exemple.
146

19 AMBITIONS
Replete - Near - Scale - Frequency
147

METRO LINE 3
Design conditions
148

Stop Linde - local scale - 100% Line 03 situation
19 AMBITIONS
Stop Sint-Maria - urban scale - 100% Line 03 situation
Stop Lambermont - regional scale - 100% Line 03 situation
149

006 INTRODUCTION
078 A SELF-SUFFICIENT STREET FOR PEOPLE by Jolien Coppejans
082 BRUSSELS GREEN LINE 1 by Thomas Verheye
086 THE RELAYERED CITY by Dimitri Voordeckers
090 SUBWAY STATION AS NEW SOCIAL SPACE by Valérie Vanwalleghem
METRO LINE 3
094 NO PARKING SPACE BUT PUBLIC SPACE by Saar Huyghebaert
098 CONNECTING THROUGH PLAY by Daniella Beltran
102 ENRICH LOCAL ATMOSPHERES by Silke Van Bruyssel
106 METRO PART OF THE CITY – ART AS INSTRUMENT by Annelien Uvin
110 UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2.0 by Annelie Gaudissabois
150

114 METRO AS SYSTEM FOR WASTE TRANSPORT by Kai Saillart
116 LEARNING ALONG THE METRO by Ellen Van Mulders
120 METRO AS PERSONAL TRAINER by Nele Coen
124 STUDENTS AS MOTOR FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT by Maaike Cauwels
128 DENSIFY THE METRO STOP by Sanne Vervaet
132 BXL, WORLD’S CAPITAL OF SMART MOBILITY : A² by Jorg Roets
19 AMBITIONS
136 € 60 MILLION TO SPEND by Janette Said
138 GROWING IS FEEDING by Babette Wyckaert
142 GREEN MESH STRUCTURED BY THE TRANSIT LINE by Vincent Prats
146 100% LINE 03 by Yaëlle Jacobs
151

@All rights reserved under International Copyright
Conventions. No part of this publication may be
reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photo-copying, recording or by any
information @All rights reserved storage retrieval under International system, without Copyright permission
in writing from the publisher or specific copyright owners.
Conventions. No part of this publication may be
Work and publication made during the course of a personal
master reproduced dissertation in any form project, or by within any means, the project electronic of The or
Cuesta mechanical, of the including Rupel Region. photo-copying, New challenges recording for or its by Cultural any
Heritage information proposed storage by retrieval Gisèle Gantois system, without permission
Acknowledgments
in writing from the publisher or specific copyright owners.
Special Work and thanks publication to Sabine made Denissen, during the senior master advisor course Leisure Studio Brussels.
Department Province of Antwerp for her unconditional
support to these projects.
ISBN
ISBN
9789082510829
9789082256857
Depot nummer
Depot nummer
D/2017/13.576/1
D/2015/13.576/1
METRO LINE 3
Book edited by
Book edited by
Gisèle Gantois
Tine van Herck
Co-editors
Violette Baudet
Kris Scheerlinck, Yves Schoonjans
Authors:
Floor
Authors
Clinckemalie, Stefanie Gruyaert, Matthijs Sioen, May
Lynn The 2Doll, nd master Felix in Schiettecatte, urban design and spatial planning
Lisa All students Lu, Sam from Verschoren, Studio Brussels, Riccardo Buratti
Contributions Sept. 2016 - Jan. from: 2017
Gisèle Gantois, Kris Scheerlinck, Yves Schoonjans, Harry
van
Cover
Royen
image
Cover © Silke picture: Van Bruyssel
© Lisa Lu, Felix Schiettecatte
Responsible Publisher
Faculty of Architecture, KU Leuven
KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture,
International Master of Architecture
Resilient campus Sint-Lucas. and Sustainable Strategies
Campus Sint-Lucas, Ghent
Class of 2014-2015
www.arch.kuleuven.be
www.arch.kuleuven.be
www.internationalmasterofarchitecture.be
www.luca-arts.be
Dag www.stedenbouwenruimtelijkeplanning.be
Boutsen, dean
2
152

2
www.internationalmasterofarchitecture.be
Dag Boutsen, dean
JUST ANOTHER METRO LINE?!