Van Praet project - Public and green spaces

In 2021, the City of Brussels adopted a masterplan for the Van Praet zone of regional interest and its surroundings, at the entrance to Neder-Over-Heembeek. This strategic plan, although not statutory, clearly defines the programmes for the different building areas. The development of a new neighbourhood on this site is intended to establish a high-quality link between the city centre and the canal industrial zone.

The Van Praet zone, located at the junction of Avenues Van Praet, Croix du Feu and Croix de Guerre and Chaussée de Vilvorde, will soon offer the residents of Neder-Over-Heembeek a new neighbourhood comprising a secondary school, crèche, housing and green spaces. At the same time, Brussels City Council is working on the redevelopment of public spaces and green areas in the zone.

Rue de l'Ancre

The proposed redevelopment of Rue de l'Ancre aims to turn this 14-metre-wide street into a cul-de-sac and to build a new tram stop there. The aim is to create a peaceful coexistence of environmentally-friendly transport and local residents' cars through the following measures:

• Greening of the street, integration into the scenic landscape (BKP) and the green corridor
• Prioritising environmentally-friendly transport methods and marking out the environmentally-friendly transport route linking the Versailles neighbourhood to the canal
• Conversion of the road into a cul-de-sac and alignment with the STIB redevelopment plan and the Ananda private housing project
• Integrated on-site rain water management

Avenue des Croix de Guerre

The redevelopment of the area at the junction of Rue de l'Ancre and Avenue des Croix de Guerre, which is mainly lined with buildings and various functions, aims to improve accessibility to these and enhance their interaction with the public space. The greening and redefinition of this area will create a high-quality public space, incorporating the green corridor and its active transport methods to the east.

• Revegetation and integration of the street in accordance with the BKP concept, including the private setback areas and the areas around the football pitches
• Prioritising environmentally-friendly transport methods, with particular attention to safety and pedestrian crossings
• Intervention limited to quick solutions, taking into account the recent redevelopment and the STIB bus stop project
• Integrated on-site rain water management

Rue du Général Biebuyck

The redevelopment of Rue du Général Biebuyck presents a number of challenges, in particular the creation of comfortable spaces for active transport methods and the greening of the street, despite its limited width and a future bus route passing by. Safe pedestrian crossing facilities will be provided, particularly at the junction with Rue du Général Michel.

• Greening and integration of the street in accordance with the BKP concept
• Improved comfort for environmentally-friendly transport methods
• Integration of the STIB's vision for passing buses in the street
• Integrated on-site rain water management

Triangular park

Located to the south of the primary school, at La Croisée des Chemins, this triangular-shaped park has been designed to protect a row of existing trees. It provides a link between the Croissant Vert Park, the green promenade along the wall of the Royal Palace of Laeken and the green spaces of Neder-Over-Heembeek. Bordered by two roads, the aim is to design this space as a green and blue landscape, with the emphasis on recreational activities as added value.

The 'Moerasbos'

The 'Moerasbos' is a green space at the heart of the block destined to accommodate a community crèche and public housing, and is the remnant of an ancient water system. It is essential to preserve this area and enhance its ecological character. A path will cross the block, following the topography of the area to protect it as much as possible.