Brussels is set to transform one of its busiest roads into a green, pedestrian-friendly urban boulevard. The redevelopment of Charles Quint Avenue aims to reduce traffic impact while improving the area for residents and commuters.
The urban development authority issued a planning permit to Brussels Mobility to fully redevelop the avenue. Charles Quint Avenue, which runs through Ganshoren and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, links the city center to the E40 motorway. Over time, the area has faced heavy traffic, noise, and air pollution.
The redevelopment project seeks to change this pattern. The Brussels Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt, said the avenue “will no longer separate neighborhoods but connect them as a pleasant urban boulevard.”
While the avenue will remain a main route for motor traffic, it will gain a wider green central reservation, especially at pedestrian crossings. Pavements will be expanded, and new cycle paths will improve safety for cyclists.
A two-way cycle path is planned between the regional border and Rue de Termonde. Between Rue de Termonde and the Basilica, one-way cycle lanes will be built on both sides of the avenue. Avenue des Gloires Nationales near Sacré-Cœur College will be redesigned to include wider pavements, a two-way cycle path, and a new bus stop.
The strip separating cycle paths from the road and parking spaces will be used for tree planting and rainwater collection. Parking areas will also be redesigned to allow better rainwater infiltration.
Traffic flow will be improved through dynamic traffic light coordination and a traffic management system along the avenue. Congested intersections will be simplified to ease journey times for local bus routes, including De Lijn and STIB-MIVB services, according to Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Planning, Ans Persoons.
Four new public squares will feature a variety of vegetation, benches, water fountains, and playful elements for children. These squares will be developed at Clos Louis Banken, Clos Willy Chambon, Rue Oscar Maesschalck, and Rue de Termonde.
Place Marguerite d’Autriche will also be included in the project to complete the regional green walkway. This space will provide areas for children to play and for neighbors to gather and socialize.
The redevelopment plans were refined with input from local residents, municipalities, and advisory bodies. Persoons emphasized that with the permit granted, Charles Quint Avenue can now begin its transformation from a heavily trafficked urban motorway into a tree-lined, people-friendly urban boulevard.
The project highlights Brussels’ commitment to creating sustainable, livable urban spaces. Residents can expect safer streets, more green areas, and improved public transport as the redevelopment progresses.
