Contrat de Quartier durable Jardin aux Fleurs – Sustainable neighbourhood contract “Jardin aux fleur / Bloemenhof 2011-2015”

Under the framework of Jardin aux Fleurs contract, the city commissioned local non-profit organization MAD (Fashion and Design Centre) and Recyclart Art Center to develop new street furniture to the square Jacques Brel involving designers and local residents.

Key actors

Main promoters: The City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (Beliris)
Secondary players: Recyclart Art Center, MAD (Fashion and Design Center)
Beneficiaries: inhabitants and users of the area Square Jacques Brel

Role of Design

Design is used throughout the project. In particular, the participatory practices took an important part into the process.
The research phase includes two workshops that allowed the designers to identify, investigate, analyse and engage the public to participate on the square’s refurbishment.

The participatory probes (video, communication material: posters, stand…) were designed in a graphical and interactive way in order to attract and encourage the community (different age group) to imagine and vote for their ideal square Jacques Brel. (From functions, shapes, colours, activities to materials etc). As result, it provided great insight to the development of the final design.

CONTACT (of the editor)

Winglam Kwok – Organization: Pro Materia Association – Email: winglam@promateria.be