URBAN WALK

From Pic Nic The Streets to Metro Nord: Struggles and Urban Transformations

AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL “KNOWLEDGE FOR THE CITY: CREATE SHARE (RE)IMAGINE

10 years ago, the philosopher Ph. Van Parijs called on the people of Brussels to engage in civil disobedience, with the aim of reclaiming public space, which was then occupied by the incessant flow of vehicles. Several activists, citizens and associations took up this call and launched the Pic-Nic the Streets collective. A few years later, the municipal authorities launched the redevelopment of the city centre around a pedestrian axis. The Brussels Studies Institute then inaugurated the Observatory of the Pedestrianised Area, which soon became the Observatory of the City Centre, in order to observe the processes of urban transformation.

During this walk with Prof. Eric Corijn (VUB), Frédéric Raynaud (Perspective Brussels), Dr. Sofie Vermeulen (VUB) and Dr. Jean-Philippe de Visscher (UCL), we will revisit the links between urban struggles, urban transformations and scientific expertise. This will be an opportunity to take stock of these 10 years of cooperation, dialogue and struggles and to question the future of these together, particularly in the context of the Métro Nord project.

Admission is free, but please note that places are limited!
To allow everyone to participate, please only register if you can honour this commitment 😉

Full programme of the day 

• 12:00-14:00 — STADS URBAN LAB #1
• 17:00-18:15 — URBAN WALK
• 18:45-20:15 — FESTIVAL CLOSING DRINK