Exams start soon for students across Belgium, including more than 100,000 in the Brussels region, many of whom are likely looking for a place to concentrate and study without being distracted.
Every exam period, pupils line up in front of their university libraries in Belgium's busiest university cities and towns to find a spot where they can bury their heads in books undisturbed. But since these areas often have a limited capacity, many are left having to study at home, usually in their rooms. Rarely ideal, being surrounded by home distractions can even be counterproductive.
To assist students in their search and better meet the growing need for suitable study spaces, the region's spatial planning bureau perspective.brussels on Wednesday launched an online platform, studyspaces.brussels. This provides a complete overview of all available study places in French, Dutch, and English.
"Unfortunately, many students do not always know where to go to study properly. As the country's leading student city, the Brussels Region presents this new website to inform them as best as possible about study places and help them find a suitable space," said Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort.
Connecting building owners with students
Most of the study spots are located in private and public libraries, such as those of Koekelberg, Molenbeek, and Ixelles, as well as the Royal Library of Belgium. However, event spaces such as Salle Miroir in the city centre are also listed. All spaces can be accessed free of charge by students.
Not exclusively for students looking for a place to prepare for their exams, the website can also be a place for property owners to make their building available more widely for that study purposes.
The agency has also prepared a bundle of recommendations for (future) owners of study spaces, listing "practical tips and good practices related to opening up a quality space where students can study in optimal conditions."
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"Success rates depend to a large extent on being able to study in a pleasant and appropriate environment. This need is not always well met in the Brussels Region," explained Antoine de Borman, Director-General of perspective.brussels. "We want to change this with the tools we have developed. They should show students the way and encourage new applicants to provide students with spaces where they can study."
