What is it about?
The Place de la Liberté is a protected heritage site, just like the façades that surround it, and is a very lively square. In 1978, the City of Brussels decided to add trees to the square. However, no consideration had been given to their growth. Today, the paving in the square is in a very poor state of repair, partly due to the tree roots that are pushing up the paving stones and kerbs.
Numerous phytosanitary studies revealed that all the trees were in good health, with the exception of one, which will be felled. As it is important to maintain symmetry in historic squares, the tree opposite the diseased tree will also be felled. The study also revealed the poor quality of the subsoil, leading to root growth towards the top of the square.
The redevelopment project is therefore based on the principle of protecting trees in order to provide new opportunities for growth. The area around the trees will therefore be raised and covered with dolomite to allow the roots to grow unhindered. Around the tree pits, the existing bluestones will be put back.
Particular attention will also be paid to the square's heritage features. The green space around the statue of Charles Rogier will be restored. The original ornamental railings surrounding the lawn are still in the warehouse of the City. They are too damaged to be restored, but they will be reproduced identically and put back in the same place.
The rest of the square will be redeveloped at ground level, including the section of Rue du Congrès running alongside the square.
During the summer of 2022, as part of the circulation plan, a filter was installed on the Rue du Congrès near the Place de la Liberté. Retractable bollards keep traffic out, reserving entry/exit for emergency services only. This section of the Rue du Congrès is included in the redevelopment perimeter.
The 21 parking spaces on the square will be removed. Given the highly commercial nature of the square, these will be replaced by delivery zones. The traffic flow around the square will be maintained and 31 cycle racks will be installed.
The project has been developed with public participation in mind, incorporating the contributions and opinions of local residents.
- Redevelopment plan - Place de la Liberté (2.31 MB)
- Presentation and schedule of the works - Place de la Liberté (in French and Dutch)
What purpose?
This project meets the following ambitions and objectives:
- Offering a network of calming public spaces, directing all types of parking to off-street car parks, in order to meet the needs of residents and visitors in terms of green spaces, tranquillity and high quality
- Rebalancing and diversifying the uses of public spaces
- Improving the safety and quality of public spaces for the purposes of living and environmental resilience
- Developing a strategy to reduce soil sealing in the city of Brussels and make its public spaces greener
- Ensuring accessibility to all transport methods for people with reduced mobility
- Speeding up the development of a cycle network and providing appropriate bike parking facilities
Works
On 5 August 2024, the reconstruction works at the Place de la Liberté started. The works are divided into 3 phases and will last a total of 100 working days (subject to favourable weather conditions).
Access to this area is restricted during the works period. Discover the phases and traffic diversions on this plan:
Presentation and schedule of the works - Place de la Liberté (in French and Dutch)
