Towards a DiverCity

Daniel Radai

Towards DiverCity a

Multiscalar planning tools seeking socio-spatial integration

‘City is not a problem.

City is solution.’ (Jaime Lerner)

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‘The city [Brussels] looks like a beautiful woman that does not take care of itself and shows the signs of a strenuous life.’ /Kees Christiaanse/ This thesis is not about the ‘capital of Europe’. Instead, it shows what lies behind the shine; the multicultural, mixed, colourful but troubled city. In recent years I have grown a curiosity towards cultural diversity and social vulnerability in metropolitan areas. Having lived in the Belgian capital I came to the realisation that one of Europe’s most multicultural cities does offer enough inspiration.

‘I love Brussels because it is beautiful. It is not like the 19th century Paris or a medieval city in Italy. It is the beauty of diversity.’ /Bernardo Secchi/

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To Francisco & Birgit for your tolerance, support, guidance and keeping me on track.

Diego, Akkie, Nadia & Leo for your precious input and support at times.

Raphael, Wim, Sofie, Eefje & Dominic for generously offering your time and knowledge.

Katalin & Peter for letting the end be as easy as hard the beginning had to be.

Tim, Vicky & Barbara since without you Brussels would have never been the same.

Todor, Luis, Pamela & Aiste for sharing this journey. the people of Brussels and everybody else who ever inspired me for a better, sustainable world..

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Towards a DiverCity.

Multiscalar planning tools seeking socio-spatial integration Graduation Project - Master Thesis Daniel Peter Radai 4258290 radaid@gmail.com Mentors: Dipl. Ing. Francisco Colombo Chair of Spatial Planning and Strategy Dipl. Ing. MSc Birgit Hausleitner Chair of Urban Design - Theory & Methods External Examiners: Dr. Ing. Roberto Cavallo Chair of Building Typology Dipl. Ing. Steven Steenbruggen Chair of Complex Projects MSc Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences - Urbanism Track Complex Cities and Regions in Transformation Graduation Lab Chair of Spatial Planning and Strategy Faculty of Architecture Delft University of Technology June 2015

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5 introduction 7 Immigration trends 11 Immigration - Brussels, Belgium 15 Social context 19 Aim 19 Methodology 21 Relevance 21 Chapter Conclusion

23 25 30 32 33 37 41 45

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project context Brussels Capital Region Fragmented centre Case Selection The Canal Area ‘Central Molenbeek’ Historical Overview Future perspective

in theory+

59 Introduction 59 Planning and multiculture 62 Tools for empowerment 67 Responding to the current challenge 70 Conclusion / Social sustainability 71 Examples of best practices 73 Summing up

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spatial analysis

78 Urban character 79 Urban fabric 80 Building heights 81 Roads 85 Public transport 87 Environment 89 Land use and building functions 91 Commercial activities 94 Open space functions 97 Vacant land 101 Public functions 102 Neighbourhood dynamics 104 The inhabitants...

105 Conclusion

108 strategy 114 Planning framework revisited 116 Adjusting the Canal Plan 117 Participation model 121 Strategic Vision of Central Molenbeek 123 Urban acupuncture 127 Pilot projects 129 Rue Sainte Marie 135 Parvis St. Jean Baptiste 139 Left Banks 142 Chaussee de Gand 143 Industrial Zone 155 Brown field development 166 Strategy Conclusion

170 epilogue 171 Flashback 172 Research Vehicle 173 Evaluation

176 bibliography 184 appendix 185 Interviews

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