URBAN EUROPE: MARAIS WIELS MOERAS
Tutor:
7 June 2024
Urban Europe (2324-EUS2015)
Page 1 of 9
, I) Introducing the Context and Challenges
“Man must be the guardian of nature, not its owner.” This quote from Philippe St Marc
(1971), pioneer of French activist humanist ecology, echoes the controversy surrounding the
future of the Wiels marsh in Brussels. This natural site developed fifteen years ago following a
flood in the middle of a construction site for new office buildings (Birdingplaces, 2020). This
project did not resume because of the financial crisis, thus favouring the development of a
unique ecosystem.
The post-industrial wasteland that the Wielemans-Ceuppens site has become has been
confronted with a series of socio-economic problems (BRUZZ, 2016). However, since the
creation of the WIELS art center, the neighbourhood has experienced a real revival, now
attracting wealthy people (Debersaques, 2017). Preserving the marsh as a green space would be
one more step to improve the image of the neighbourhood.
However, noting the growing interest of the middle class in the neighbourhood, the owner
of the land JCX Immo now plans to resume the construction site, but this time for residential
buildings (BRUZZ, 2016). His plans received a negative opinion from the municipality as well as
a general protest from the neighbourhoods residents in the name of safeguarding biodiversity
and improving living conditions (BRUZZ, 2016). In 2020 the Brussels-Capital Region bought the
land in the name of a sustainable development policy for the territory (BRUZZ, 2020). However,
the Region also plans to construct buildings, and to develop the marsh to promote the
accessibility of the neighbourhood, taking into account the need to maintain a green space
(BRUZZ, 2020). In this regard, residents think that the ideal way to preserve a green space would
be to classify it as a nature reserve (Beliris, 2023).
Considering those different perspectives, here is our analysis as a member of the broad
advisory council of the municipality of Forest/Vorst, regarding the opportunities and challenges
that the municipality must take into account when deciding on the future of the Wiels marsh.
Firstly we will address the question of new social class relationships in the neighbourhood, and
more precisely the question of gentrification. Secondly, we will study the place of nature in the
urban environment and the essential concern of climate change. Finally, we will address the
question of accessibility and the qualification of Wiels marsh as public space.
I) The apprehension of gentrification, or the balance between inter-class mixing and the
exclusion of the less fortunate
We begin our analysis by studying the development of the Wielemans-Ceuppens site. This
neighbourhood is originally an industrial zone (BRUZZ, 2020) which over the years has acquired
a bad reputation due to the social inequalities faced by its residents, mainly from the working
class such as unemployment, immigration or insecurity (BRUZZ, 2016). On the other hand, the
Page 2 of 9
Tutor:
7 June 2024
Urban Europe (2324-EUS2015)
Page 1 of 9
, I) Introducing the Context and Challenges
“Man must be the guardian of nature, not its owner.” This quote from Philippe St Marc
(1971), pioneer of French activist humanist ecology, echoes the controversy surrounding the
future of the Wiels marsh in Brussels. This natural site developed fifteen years ago following a
flood in the middle of a construction site for new office buildings (Birdingplaces, 2020). This
project did not resume because of the financial crisis, thus favouring the development of a
unique ecosystem.
The post-industrial wasteland that the Wielemans-Ceuppens site has become has been
confronted with a series of socio-economic problems (BRUZZ, 2016). However, since the
creation of the WIELS art center, the neighbourhood has experienced a real revival, now
attracting wealthy people (Debersaques, 2017). Preserving the marsh as a green space would be
one more step to improve the image of the neighbourhood.
However, noting the growing interest of the middle class in the neighbourhood, the owner
of the land JCX Immo now plans to resume the construction site, but this time for residential
buildings (BRUZZ, 2016). His plans received a negative opinion from the municipality as well as
a general protest from the neighbourhoods residents in the name of safeguarding biodiversity
and improving living conditions (BRUZZ, 2016). In 2020 the Brussels-Capital Region bought the
land in the name of a sustainable development policy for the territory (BRUZZ, 2020). However,
the Region also plans to construct buildings, and to develop the marsh to promote the
accessibility of the neighbourhood, taking into account the need to maintain a green space
(BRUZZ, 2020). In this regard, residents think that the ideal way to preserve a green space would
be to classify it as a nature reserve (Beliris, 2023).
Considering those different perspectives, here is our analysis as a member of the broad
advisory council of the municipality of Forest/Vorst, regarding the opportunities and challenges
that the municipality must take into account when deciding on the future of the Wiels marsh.
Firstly we will address the question of new social class relationships in the neighbourhood, and
more precisely the question of gentrification. Secondly, we will study the place of nature in the
urban environment and the essential concern of climate change. Finally, we will address the
question of accessibility and the qualification of Wiels marsh as public space.
I) The apprehension of gentrification, or the balance between inter-class mixing and the
exclusion of the less fortunate
We begin our analysis by studying the development of the Wielemans-Ceuppens site. This
neighbourhood is originally an industrial zone (BRUZZ, 2020) which over the years has acquired
a bad reputation due to the social inequalities faced by its residents, mainly from the working
class such as unemployment, immigration or insecurity (BRUZZ, 2016). On the other hand, the
Page 2 of 9
