Brussels' Jette commune has approved a long-lease agreement between the municipality and railway utility SNCB in connection with the creation of a new park under the Magritte Sustainable Neighbourhood Contract (CQD).
The agreement paves the way for the creation of a park on a broad stretch of unused land located between the railway and the site of the Esseghem social housing complex.
The park’s creation has been on the agenda since the early days of the Magritte CQD, an action plan signed between the municipality, the Brussels-Capital Region, and residents to improve the quality of life in the Magritte neighbourhood.
The CQD is aimed at opening up the densely populated neighbourhood and, according to the municipality, offering it a breath of fresh air. It is also aimed at linking it to both the De Smet de Naeyer Boulevard and the new Hippodrome housing site located on the territory of the City of Brussels.
The new park will increase biodiversity in the city and advance the objectives that the municipality has set for itself in terms of adapting to climate change “since it will provide freshness and help combat flooding,” the municipality said.
“It is also good news for soft mobility as a new pedestrian-cyclist path will be created, and it will make it possible to easily connect the Bockstael district to Jette station,” even if it will take a little more patience before the first developments can be enjoyed, the municipality added.
