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Urban revitalization in the center of Brussels

The competition’s challenge was to revitalize a charming section of one of the 19 districts in the Belgian capital, Brussels. For the designated urban area - part of the commune of Saint Gilles - competitors designed residential buildings, communal spaces, transportation routes, and a market hall consistent with the "Access for All" philosophy.

The task specifically asked students to:

design a covered market hall;
enhance the area’s urban, social, cultural, and commercial activities;
create additional housing for up to 150 inhabitants and a centre for cultural activities;
harmonize pedestrian and vehicle traffic;
improve conditions for public transport;
promote equal access for all visitors between public and private areas of the quarter through the market, and to/from the proposed subterranean parking garage.

Encouraging response

A total of 497 students from 72 European schools of architecture applied themselves to the task, submitting 78 projects. The international jury judging the entries, chaired by Professor Thomas Sieverts, drew an encouraging conclusion: namely that the "Access for All" philosophy in no way hinders design, but actually results in better, more innovative and more functional architecture, which benefits everyone.

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