What if we once again saw streets as living spaces? Through the Leefbuurten (Living Neighbourhoods) initiative, the Team Flemish Government Architect is looking into how the redesign of public space in residential areas can strengthen social interaction while addressing mobility and climate issues. Using tactical interventions and trials, case studies in Dilbeek, Tessenderlo and Muizen show how small steps can have a big impact.

The idea that a street is also a public space – and can therefore be used to improve the quality of life of residents – is still far from being widely accepted. Although redevelopment often comes with attempts to green up streets and plant trees, the street’s primary function as a means of facilitating ‘traffic’ is usually not called into question. The Team Flemish Government Architect sought to change this with the Living Neighbourhoods project. The focus was on public space in residential areas with a suburban or rural character. Not the city centre, therefore, where there is already a longer tradition of low-traffic shopping streets or car-free historic centres, but precisely those areas where the residential function is dominant.