VUB research group sets precedent for future of mobility in Brussels
Regional government starts working on mobility hub’s proposals
The VUB Mobilise research group, with the municipality of Anderlecht and Mpact, developed four designs for mobility hubs and asked residents of the area to vote for their favourite. The Brussels regional government is now evaluating their choice to see if it can be implemented. The three other designs are also inspiring the creation of mobility hubs as part of the region’s mobility strategy.
The Brussels government is currently considering its regional mobility strategy, which should be finalised by 2024. In this strategy, it wants to incorporate the concept of mobility hubs: locations where multiple transport services such as tram and bus are available alongside services such as digital information kiosks, secure bike parking, parcel lockers and public toilets.
To implement these hubs, the VUB Mobilise research group, within the framework of the Smarthubs research project, made four designs with the Anderlecht municipality and Mpact as examples of how future mobility hubs in Brussels could look. Several parties were given a say as part of the co-creation process.
“More than 100 people took part in the process: residents, commuters, transport operators, local civic organisations such as Cosmos, Maks, Les amis de l’Etincelle, Névé and Espace 16 Arts, and the government,” says Lluis Martinez Ramirez of VUB Mobilise. “Based on expert advice and taking into account the opinions of all those participants, residents voted on a final design that we are now handing over to the government for implementation. But the other three designs can also serve as examples of what a mobility hub could look like.”
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About the project and the partners
The SmartHubs project is looking at mobipoints: specific public locations where people can choose from various shared and sustainable means of transport. It is testing and developing mobipoints in Brussels, The Hague, eastern Austria, Munich and Istanbul. The research is funded by JPI Urban Europe and Innoviris.
Mobilise is a Vrije Universiteit Brussel research group specialised in sustainable urban mobility and logistics. The Mobilise team studies travel behaviour and barriers to the adoption of sustainable transport modes.
Mpact is a non-profit working towards a more efficient and accessible transport system based on the principle of “more with less”. It develops transport solutions such as carpool.be and mobipoints, is involved in research projects and organises events for policymakers and the public.
The municipal mobility service in Anderlecht is responsible for all urban developments in the municipality, including cycling infrastructure and the renovation of public spaces and streets.
The SmartHubs project is funded by Innoviris, the public organisation that funds and supports research and innovation in the Brussels-Capital Region.
