Molenbeek locals have been asked to help find a name for the formerly derelict site which is being transformed into a new park.
Part of the derelict land of 13 hectares behind the Brussels West railway station in Molenbeek – which is set to become a fully-fledged three-hectare park in 2026 – was at the end of last year opened to the public as a temporary meeting place in what is a concrete jungle with few green spaces.
“We’re going to design this park with and for local residents, starting from their needs, uses and desires. Launching this temporary occupation was essential to provide a breathing space in this particularly dense area of Molenbeek, but also a place to come together to discuss the future park," said Brussels Environment Minister Alain Maron.
"And projecting ourselves into the future means choosing the name of this new place that we’re creating together," he added.
The wasteland behind the Brussels West railway station is being restructured. Credit: perspective.brussels
Until 30 August, park users are invited to deposit their ideas in the box provided for this purpose in the brand-new pavilion located on the site. The name can be inspired by an aspect of the place (history, flora, fauna, etc.), or highlight a Brussels personality, preferably female.
Over the summer, these ideas will be looked through by Toestand, the association that manages the pavilion and the temporary occupation of the site. The final choice at the Park Festival on Saturday 23 September where "a playful system" will be set up to make voting accessible to all locals.
Meanwhile, the development of the park continues, and the site's opening hours have been extended for the summer, making it accessible from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:30.
