In recent years, Vooruit has invested heavily in public spaces: with parks and squares for relaxation, and improved public transport and cycle paths. However, some neighbourhoods have been left behind, for example in the North District, around Brabantstraat, Liedtsplein and Colignonplein. We surveyed residents, and drug nuisance and cleanliness were most frequently mentioned as points of concern. Cars still often drive too fast. And parents experience stress finding a place in a nursery or school. Housing is becoming unaffordable.
Today, it is crucial that anyone who wants to live in Brussels is able to do so – and to continue living there. This includes the North District. We want to make housing affordable through a fair housing tax system, more (public) housing, and by stepping up the fight against abuse by Airbnb and slum landlords. The issue of addiction and mental wellbeing must also become a priority at local level. All these challenges transcend municipal boundaries and call for a single, coherent approach for Brussels. No more fragmentation that leads to waste and injustice; no more delaying tactics by local barons.
Therefore we are launching a 10-point plan for Noordwijk, which Vooruit will fight for:
- The right approach to tackling the drug problem. Drug dealers must be dealt with
firmly; and a drug consumption room must be set up to provide better support for addicts. - An approach to the debt industry and gambling addiction by closing betting shops and gaming machines.
- Free healthy school meals in every primary school in Schaarbeek.
- An improvement of the sewers to protect basements from flooding.
- A zero-tolerance policy on fly-tipping and litter, with a weekly mobile collection point for bulky waste,
public bins on every street corner, a cleanliness pact with local businesses, and underground waste sorting facilities. - Redeveloping Brabantstraat and opening up office car parks to ease the pressure on parking spaces,
especially at weekends. A small playground for children on the corner of Kwatrechtstraat and Brabantstraat. - A focus on mental wellbeing for young people in schools, at a new community health centre
on Dupontstraat and an OverKop centre on Vanderlindenstraat. - Safe travel to school with a school street at every school and one-way traffic on Rubensstraat.
- A green link between Brabantstraat and Josafatpark, featuring a water feature and a playground
on Lehonplein. - A “summer in Schaarbeek” in and around the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
We want to move forward with Brussels. From a city for a few to a city for everyone. A city that cares for its people and with inhabitants who care for their city. This includes the North Quarter.