Tour and Taxis - Brussels

Localisation

Main factors of successful redevelopment process

• general localization (capital of Belgium)
• specific localization (city centre)
• availability of financial incentives from different resorts (Public housing company, Private developers, Regional Development agency, Belgian National Railways Company, Ministry of Transport, ERDF)
• the size of the brownfield area (one of the biggest brownfields in Brussels)
• attractiveness of the site and objects (the vacant sites offers a new perspectives for development, in terms of housing, offices, large public space and urban facilities)
• transport links (excellent connection to the railways system)

Brief description of site and current use

In 2002, the Brussels Region adopted the new planning instrument of the Masterplan. This new tool, initiated in the Regional Development Plan, provides the possibility to develop an urban project with a vision, defines the main options as well as the required means and resources for realisation, integrating expectancies of all actors involved and optimising the potential of the site. Previously to 2002, redevelopment projects for Tour and Taxis were primarily generated by private developers who approached it as one large real estate development, apart from some projects initiated by the Brussels Region and the Brussels municipality. Political alterations (municipal elections in 2000 and regional elections in 2004), along with the lack of financial means of public authorities and the disregard of the general interest, the partimonial value and of the surrounding neighbourhood in the proposals of the developers, augmented the number of abandoned projects. The location of Tour and Taxis was defined as an Area of Regional Interest in the Regional land use plan and a leverage zone in the Regional Development Plan. That makes it possible to implement Masterplan in this zone. A Masterplan is a non-binding tool, which is approved by the government and has an indicative value. However, the partial land use plan that results has a binding character. Projects like T&T are primarily managed at regional level. The regional political decision makers and the regional administration have the lead of the planning process. Now, the definition and function of a project-director should be specified, in order to take up the role of coordination of the realisation process.

Original use – basic description

Current state – basic description

Contact to stakeholders

Sources

http://www.wmf.org/project/tour-and-taxis-transport-hub

http://www.tour-taxis.com/

http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/?page=detail&id=138&root=6