type
Programming and Public participation
Context
To meet the growing demand for public transport in the Brussels Region, Brussels Mobility plans to develop a new tram line between the North Station and the Belgica district in Jette, running via Rue Picard in Molenbeek. This project is merely the first phase of a tram line that will eventually connect the northwest (Jette) with the southeast (Ixelles).
Mission
As part of a multidisciplinary team capable of managing the complexities of an urban space project of this scale, this assignment entails a comprehensive role as lead designer for the new "Tour et Taxis" tram line. Within the design team, CityTools is responsible for ensuring quality control and urban design coherence for the development, operating in a highly specific and rapidly evolving context. This involves coordinating the team's various areas of expertise, acting as a liaison between different parties, managing stakeholders (municipal and regional authorities, private sector players, other project consultants, etc.), and handling communication and information dissemination for local residents.
Approach
The project approach is grounded in a nuanced understanding of the context, which directly shapes the design of the public realm: five affected municipalities, regional mobility and urban planning requirements, and various related projects offering synergy potential combine to form a complex, evolving landscape of stakeholders.
To meet the study’s very tight schedule, spanning eight months from the initial sketch phase to the submission of the planning permit application, we implemented a diverse and intensive methodology. Bilateral meetings, site visits, working groups, presentations to administrative bodies, and information sessions for residents were used to gather the various perspectives that informed the study.