Brussels
Capital of Belgium
Overall Grade: F 58%
-
Reduction Success Local Emissions -
Low Emission Zones & Bans of High Emitters -
Public Procurement Clean Cars -
Non-Road Mobile Emission Sources -
Use of Economic Incentives -
Traffic & Mobility Management Incl. Modal Split -
Modal Shift to Public Transport -
Modal Shift to Walking & Cycling -
Transparency & Communication Policy
Measures
Reduction Success Local Emissions
Between 2005 and 2009, the number of days exceeding the limit values at the Molenbeek traffic station slightly increased from 43 to 45. At the same time the background station located in Uccle reported 19 days in exceedance in 2005 and 21 days in 2009. Thus there is no visible reduction of PM10 concentrations during this time period. Although the city has a very high level of background emissions, traffic is still a very central source of PM10 and PM2.5. We would also like to highlight that there has been a trend of higher NO2 levels as a result of increased use of diesel vehicles. The Brussels region is trying to work with the federal government to reverse this trend.
Low Emission Zones & Bans of High Emitters
Brussels does not have a low emission zone or a comparable measure, although they undertook a study on the effects of a LEZ.
Public Procurement Clean Cars
In 2007, the municipal fleet consisted of 57% diesel vehicles and in total 33% vehicles complying with Euro 4 standards. Bylaws require public administrations with more than 50 vehicles to maintain a fleet that guarantees voluntary environmental performance on the basis of ‘ecoscore’. Public transport contracts are subject to environmental indicators for their renewal in 2012.
- Ecoscore:
- http://www.ecoscore.be/en
Non-Road Mobile Emission Sources
The city did not respond to this question and our research from public documents did not reveal any existing and planned measures.
Use of Economic Incentives
Brussels is currently working on intensifying its parking policy with the goal to decrease the number of parking spaces. A 16% reduction target of parking spaces by 2018 is being tested for feasibility. Also, parking prices have increased, especially regarding parking duration. Since 2006, the Brussels Region has the system to encourage individuals to get rid of their cars through the Bruxell’Air subsidy.
Traffic & Mobility Management Incl. Modal Split
The city undertakes capacity management for main roads and is expanding the
30km/h zones, in particular in the central hyper-centre
. It also aims at
the reduction of space for cars in favour of bikes and buses. The Mobiris
mobility centre is managing traffic centrally and is to become a multimodal
info centre providing central mobility services, i.e. Cambio (car sharing),
Villo (bike sharing), Collecto night taxis (taxi sharing), workplace travel
plans, schools & events and awareness raising programmes. The region funds
the ‘Taxistop’ carpooling centre, an awareness action database and manager.
Also, the Cambio car-sharing programme was launched in 2004 with 180 vehicles,
60 stations, and 5,000 members at the beginning of 2010).
The supplied modal split reports a 4% decrease of the modal share of cars until 2009 compared with 57% in 1999. At the same time, the public transport rose by 83% from 13% in 1999. And cycling increase by 230% from very low 1% . The city has the target to reduce the distance done by car by 20% until 2018.
Modal Shift to Public Transport
Brussels public transport authority has observed an 83% growth in users between 1998 and 2008, from a very low share of 13% to about 24%. Thus the City has increased the role of its system in the modal split considerably. Measures taken in the last years include the extension of the metro, tram and bus lines as well as numerous other measures such as improved frequency. Furthermore, several promotional measures have been created, among them new travel plans for schools and events, a reform of pricing and products as well as better passenger information. The city also has a long list of planned projects. However, some cuts have also been made in the night bus system and on some tram lines in the last years.
Modal Shift to Walking & Cycling
The share of bikes in Brussels has been very low, but the City has
ambitious plans to reach 20% journeys by bike by 2020. They are planning
to expand the number of bikes and covered bike parking spaces as well as
bikes lanes. The bike plan targets 100% of bikeable roads, creating cycling
connections with neighbouring regions, developing 70km of cycling corridors
along the train lines, better road signs and a higher possibility for
intermodality between bike and public transport. For example, cycle carriage
is allowed on PT for free outside rush hours. The Villo bike renting programme
has been existing since May 2009 and accounted for 180 stations and 2,500
bikes at the end 2010. There are talks of adding 200 extra stations and 2,500
bikes but no deadline has been set yet. There is also a range of awareness
building measures such as Friday Bike Day
, Bike to Work
, Bike Experience
,
guided tours by bike, bike rentals in parks, etc., several regional versions
of bike routes maps, the 2007-2009 campaign “Mon vélo m’aime” to promote
biking and world conference Vélo-City (2009). Finally, the IRIS2 programme
focuses on pedestrian policy.
- Brussels Mobiel, Iris (nl./fr.)
- http://www.mobielbrussel.irisnet.be/
Transparency & Communication Policy
They seem to have quite a comprehensive programme for communicating with the public and use a broad range of tools to do so. There are websites providing for air quality information including up-to-date information and fact sheets describing the problem with different air pollutants. Public TV channel RTBF provides air quality bulletins, which are also to be found in print media, radio spots, in addition to awareness raising activities. When developing air quality plans, the public is consulted.
Response to Questionnaire
The City replied to the questionnaire.