“Good Living”

Towards Good Living

The regional urban development regulations (RRU) are the policy tool par excellence to achieve our ambitions for buildings and public spaces in Brussels.
These regulations provide the regulatory framework for urbanism in the entire regional territory, in application of the Brussels town planning code (CoBAT). They cover various topics, such as building and habitability standards for housing and public space design. 

The current regulations go back to 2007 and are no longer able to meet all regional challenges. That is why the Brussels government considers its revision a priority, following the example of the reformed CoBAT, which was fully launched on 1 September 2019.  

We do not start from scratch. Already in the previous term of office, the RRU reform was started. The first draft regulations and the accompanying environmental impact report were submitted for public consultation in the spring of 2019, while the necessary opinions of various government bodies were obtained with delay because of COVID-19. During spring 2020, the Regional Development Commission has also presented its opinion. Based on the evaluation of this consultation round, and taking into account a changed context, the initiated RRU reform will be further developed and improved.

Many of the comments and opinions have resulted into valuable suggestions. For example, an implicit framework of living and housing standards forms an obstacle for implementing new housing types, such as shared living and co-housing. Or rather conservative regulations on building volumes impede urban fabric renewal, for example by obstructing smart densification - which combines compact and liveable construction ways with an improvement of the open and green space. The objections and comments during the public consultation and the opinions expressed by municipalities, relevant bodies and the Regional Development Commission, also showed that the validity of the accompanying environmental impact report should be approached with caution. It indeed contains inaccuracies and omissions, mainly regarding the analysis of the socioeconomic impact of the project, but also regarding the RRU interaction with other plans and programmes.

In addition, the context has changed fundamentally. In its Regional Policy Statement of July 2019, the current government has established new orientations, with an impact on, for example, public space organisation and off street parking requirements. The fight against global warming and the improvement of the local living conditions also require adapted urban development instruments.

In addition, we have been experiencing an unprecedented health crisis for almost a year, which has shown us the structural importance of quality buildings for living, working and learning, connected to high-quality outdoor space in all its forms - from the private terrace over the common garden to city squares and green areas. Inviting and shared spaces where people can breathe and connect with nature and with each other. Safe and healthy spaces at all times.

Meanwhile, we also know the results of the density study led by Benoit Moritz.

The mentioned elements clearly show that we still have to improve the first draft of Good Living, from 2019, significantly. Important adjustments, which we will submit for consultation a second time. A small step backwards to make a big step forward.

Changes in society create great challenges, but also great opportunities. That is why the renewal of the regulations will not be a quick fix. On the contrary, we will turn it into an instrument that offers space to radically look ahead, for and together with the people who live, grow up and work there, do business there and those who visit the city. We aim to significantly improve the life quality of all these people and will therefore work on renewed, ambitious regional urban development regulations. Following the example of “Good Move”, “Good Living” is an appropriate name that perfectly encapsulates the content and objectives of these new regulations.

Through a supported and expert process

The first consultation in 2019 provided many useful insights and points for improvement. We are taking them into account in the update of the Good Living draft. An adapted environmental impact study and a second public consultation will allow us to further refine the updated draft.

But we will not limit ourselves to the regulatory consultations in order to develop a supported and excellent framework. With its expertise, our regional urban planning administration urban.brussels directs and coordinates the reform, in which it will be supported in several ways by an external expert committee.

These experts in architecture, urbanism and real estate development are firmly rooted in Brussels practice and will examine the most important content related themes and challenges and offer the administration innovative ideas and thorough research into future-proof regulations. We are involving various actors from the academic world, civil society and the public and private sector in order to gradually test the proposals against broad society insights, even before the second public consultation takes place.

It goes without saying that we are also constantly relying on the in-depth knowledge within the Brussels institutions. We permanently and structurally consult, among others, the team of the Brussels Bouwmeester (Chief Architect), the regional expertise centre Perspective and the Brussels municipalities.

Together with urban.brussels, this committee will develop the new Good Living draft.

The formal RRU approval, modification and abolition procedure is precisely defined in the CoBAT. It includes an elaboration, publication and consultation phase, a phase for approval with or without modifications, and a final one involving consultation with the Council of State and te final draft approval.
This long process is essential to ensure the careful development of these important regulations.

Broadly, this process includes the following steps:

• First half of 2021: content elaboration of the amended draft of the new regulations and environmental impact study
• Summer ‘21: governmental approval of the new draft, at first reading Autumn ‘21: public consultations and requests for opinions of the municipalities, authorities and the Flemish Region
• Spring 2022: request for the opinion of the Regional Development Commission
• Spring 2022: request for the opinion of the Regional Development Commission
• Autumn ‘22: governmental approval of the preliminary draft of the Good Living regulations, at second reading
• Autumn ‘22: request for the opinion of the Council of State
• Early 2023: final approval and
• Mid 2023: entry into force of Good Living

 

Interim improvements, including through the “Exemptions” decree

The extensive process towards the new regional urban development regulations does not form any obstacle for interim improvements to the current regulatory framework, where possible.

Currently, urban.brussels is developing a first adaption of the decree on “acts and works of minor importance”, also called the “Exemptions” decree.

Through this decree, certain works are exempted from obtaining a permit, as long as they comply with the RRU.

In order to facilitate the planning works and to stimulate and simplify certain operations, many additional exemptions have already been proposed in the first draft of Good Living. Several of these exemptions can already be implemented by using the existing RRU and will therefore be authorised with priority.

They include:

• the transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code
• implementation of energy from renewable sources to stimulate the energy transition;
• several temporary acts and works, including temporary occupations.

By this summer, a first adjusted “Exemptions” decree should already be up and running.

This decree will be an important stimulus for innovative temporary occupations, which in recent years are contributing a lot to urban renewal through a bottom-up approach.

The development of Good Living benefits from a broad participation of all Brusselers and actors involved. It must offer a suitable framework to our city, avoiding regulation excesses, so that Brussels can further develop as a cosmopolitan, dynamic and open-minded city, in all its creativity and with respect for living together.

 

Ambitious simplification and full digitisation of planning permit procedures

Through the ordinance of 30 November 2017 reforming the Brussels town planning code “CoBAT” and the ordinance of 5 June 1997 on environmental permits and amending related legislation, the previous Government had already initiated a major and extensive reform of the Brussels town planning code (hereafter “CoBAT”).

This rationalisation and simplification exercise of the planning permit procedures has to be continued. Compared to Flanders and Wallonia, it still takes too long to obtain planning permits in the Brussels Capital Region, and it is felt that the procedures are too rigid.

After initial feedback from the municipalities and our own administration urban.brussels, the results of which we can present this summer, we will start an in-depth (external) evaluation of the latest CoBAT reform, in which all possible actors involved (citizens, architects, promoters, lawyers, municipal and regional administrations, etc.) will be consulted. Without taboos, we will strive for efficiency gains, aiming to successfully combine speed, quality and public participation. An efficient permit procedure is essential to guarantee investments and the sustainable development of the Region.

Based on the evaluation results, we will present proposals to improve and renew the CoBAT, with a view to consistent, efficient and faster processing of permit applications.

Digitisation is a crucial cornerstone of it. In November 2020, the digital counter for submitting permit applications, “MyPermit”, was opened to legal persons governed by public law. This counter will be further developed and gradually expanded in the coming year so that all permit applications can be submitted digitally by 2022. The guidance of the municipalities will receive particular attention. In this way, Brussels urbanism will finally be able to step into the 21st century!

Good Living will be the guideline and reference of Brussels urban development transition to a city tailored for people.

I am looking forward to the important collective reflection, to the renewed regulations and to their positive effects on the life quality of all Brusselers.