Redevelopment of a public space

The project was part of the St Antoine neighbourhood contract and included the redevelopment of three public spaces: Parvis St Antoine, Rue de Padoue, and Place Orban. The project sought to develop a synergy between the area’s different components and the functions of the squares (markets, terraces, etc.). Rainwater management is a prime issue for this low-lying area of Brussels. A landscaping solution involving trees made it possible to retain the rainwater before it was channelled towards the sewage system. A participatory process was set up with the local residents and organizations: the project sought to encourage the reappropriation of the public spaces by the residents from the stage of the draft project. This desire to occupy the site in the ‘in-between time’ was materialized by the creation of temporary alterations (vegetation, changes made to the existing urban street furniture, enlargement of the existing terraces).