Brussels’ premiere commercial street, Rue Neuve, is in urgent need of a facelift. The City of Brussels thus conceived of a redevelopment process with two objectives. Firstly a masterplan to develop strategic projects to give a mixed identity to the entire district with an emphasis on diversifying the trade program, increasing mixed functions such as residential space finally to connect with surrounding functions. The Rue Neuve and adjacent streets will then be renewed completely according the vision expressed in the masterplan. Based on the report of the jury, presided by the Brussels Regional Architect, the City of Brussels appointed the team BUUR/LATZ+PARTNER with IDEACONSULT and ARA, based on the competition proposal “From New Street to New District” (‘VAN NIEUWSTRAAT NAAR NIEUWE WIJK’).
The BUUR/LATZ team approached the project by creating a dynamic and mixed program with a metropolitan focus, highlighting the unique characteristics of the commercial district. The strategy intends to integrate recently upgraded areas within the neighbourhood such as Place des Martyrs, Place de la Monnaie and the Place de Rogier. In order to maintain its prominent position within the metropolitan area, a greater variety of retail types are required, in addition to a better integration with other urban functions in a larger environment. By promoting the smaller side streets for boutiques and by intensifying trade activities and urban experiences in the large complexes such as Inno, Brouckère and City 2, visitors will be stimulates to discover a larger part of the city – both horizontally and vertically. For a number of strategic sites, a mixed living and trade programme will also be proposed.
The design and choice of materials for the redevelopment of the streetscape aims to integrate the atmosphere, orientation and complexity of the pedestrian area in the historical centre. To complement the strong linearity and highly intensive use of the Rue Neuve, specific public spaces are created along the axis, with seating areas, trees and artistic interventions.
