{"id":4766,"date":"2026-06-05T14:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T12:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T14:59:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T12:59:16","slug":"the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle","status":"publish","type":"nieuws","link":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle\/","title":{"rendered":"Brussels Parliament approves \u2018agent of change\u2019 principle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpress.vooruit.brussels%2Fbrussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed&amp;text=Brussels+Parlement+keurt+%27agent+of+change%27-principe+goed\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpress.vooruit.brussels%2Fbrussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpress.vooruit.brussels%2Fbrussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed&amp;text=Brussels+Parlement+keurt+%27agent+of+change%27-principe+goed\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The plenary session of the Brussels Parliament today approved the \u2018agent of change\u2019 principle. This is an amendment to the Code for Spatial Planning and the Brussels Housing Code that should primarily benefit nightlife. Anyone who moves in next to an existing nightclub or concert venue will henceforth have to take their own measures against noise pollution. \u201cThis is a necessary step in the protection of Brussels\u201d nightlife,\" says Pascal Smet, group leader for&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/\"><strong>Vooruit.brussels<\/strong><\/a><strong>, who submitted the proposal together with Anne-Charlotte d\u2019Ursel (MR). The PS, Les Engag\u00e9s, Anders and cd&amp;v parties also signed the proposal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brussels' nightlife has been under pressure for a long time, with some well-known nightclubs like Spirito and La Cabane recently having to close their doors. Club owners have already sounded the alarm, fearing that Brussels' club scene is largely at risk of disappearing if measures are not taken quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To offer an answer to that, Pascal Smet (<a href=\"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/\">Vooruit.brussels<\/a>, together with Anne-Charlotte d\u2019Ursel (MR), a draft ordinance. This was approved today by the plenary meeting of the Brussels Parliament, after the Committee on Spatial Planning had previously given its approval.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The intention was to enshrine the \u2018agent of change\u2019 principle in the Spatial Planning Code and the Brussels Housing Code.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe principle is simple\u201d,&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>says Pascal Smet (Vooruit.brussels)<\/strong><\/em><em>&nbsp;On that, \u201cWhoever causes the change takes responsibility. If you move in next to an existing club, then you must take measures against noise nuisance. But the same applies in reverse: a new nightclub must respect its neighbours and ensure they do not suffer from its activities. That is common sense and a matter of good governance. This is how we keep the city liveable for everyone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fuse<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cStories like that of Fuse, where someone moving in next door to an already existing nightclub can then cause it to close due to noise nuisance, will no longer be possible in the future\u201d.,&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Will Smet continue<\/strong><\/em><em>. \u201cBrussels\u201d nightlife gives our city national and international appeal and is part of our DNA. This is an important step in protecting it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smet stresses, however, that this measure alone will not suffice and that further action will have to be taken in the future, \u201cbut this is a necessary step.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Progressive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposal specifically targets \u2018clubbing\u2019. Temporary outdoor installations or events, such as the South Fair for example, are not included. Furthermore, there is also a urban planning aspect: the proposal also stipulates that anyone building new construction or undertaking a major renovation of a building to convert it into residential use or a hotel, within a perimeter of 20 metres around an existing nightclub, will be notified that there may be noise nuisance at that location.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe so-called \u2018agent of change\u2019 principle, which already exists in London for example, is truly forward-thinking. The last to establish themselves bears the responsibility: this helps to find a balance between the quality of life for residents and the protection of nightlife and clubs, which contribute to Brussels\u201d image.,&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>says Anne-Charlotte d\u2019Ursel (MR), first co-signatory of the proposal.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Necessary measure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other parties that supported the proposal are also showing their satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cWith this measure, we are opting for a city that continues to evolve, without sacrificing what makes it vibrant. In Brussels, nightlife is an important part of culture, social interaction, and creativity, and it contributes fully to our urban identity. This text aims to enable a balanced coexistence between the different functions of the city, while cultural players, artists, and local initiatives continue to have the opportunity to make Brussels thrive in all its diversity,\u201d says&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Isabelle Emmery (PS)<\/strong><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cToday, it's often the case that when a new property development is undertaken in the vicinity of a cultural institution that has been established there for decades, it's precisely that existing institution that bears the consequences. It has to invest in soundproofing, limit its opening hours, and all too often is ultimately forced to close its doors. \u2018Agent of change\u2019 reverses that logic: whoever changes an existing situation must, from the design stage of their project, implement the necessary measures to protect future residents or users,\u201d it says.&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Alain Deneef (Les Engag\u00e9s)<\/strong><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cA city is also its culture, its energy, its night. People come to Brussels precisely because it's a vibrant city. This ordinance chooses that city. It distributes responsibility fairly. It gives clubs certainty. It gives residents transparency. And it does so with a precision that prevents abuse,\u201d says&nbsp;<\/em><em><strong>Imane Belguenani (Anders)<\/strong><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Benjamin Dalle (cd&amp;v)<\/strong><\/em><em>&nbsp;decision that living and relaxation must go hand in hand in Brussels: \u201cBrussels must remain a city where people can live well and where culture and nightlife can continue to exist. With the Agent of Change principle, we create a fair balance: those who develop new projects next to existing clubs or cultural venues must also take responsibility for protecting future residents from noise pollution.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>","protected":false},"featured_media":4767,"template":"","categories":[],"class_list":["post-4766","nieuws","type-nieuws","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Brussels Parlement keurt &#039;agent of change&#039;-principe goed - Vooruit.brussels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Brussels Parlement keurt &#039;agent of change&#039;-principe goed - Vooruit.brussels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"De plenaire vergadering van het Brussels Parlement heeft vandaag het \u2018agent of change\u2019-principe goedgekeurd. Dat is een wijziging in het Wetboek van Ruimtelijke Ordening en in de Brusselse Huisvestingscode die vooral het nachtleven ten goede moet komen. Wie naast een bestaande nachtclub of concertzaal komt wonen, zal voortaan zelf maatregelen moeten nemen tegen geluidshinder. \u201cDit [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Vooruit.brussels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-22T12:59:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/\",\"name\":\"Brussels Parlement keurt 'agent of change'-principe goed - Vooruit.brussels\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-05T12:48:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-22T12:59:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/nieuws\\\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Accueil\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Nieuws\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Brussels Parlement keurt &#8216;agent of change&#8217;-principe goed\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Vooruit.brussels\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/vooruit.brussels\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Brussels Parliament approves 'agent of change' principle - Vooruit.brussels","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Brussels Parlement keurt 'agent of change'-principe goed - Vooruit.brussels","og_description":"De plenaire vergadering van het Brussels Parlement heeft vandaag het \u2018agent of change\u2019-principe goedgekeurd. Dat is een wijziging in het Wetboek van Ruimtelijke Ordening en in de Brusselse Huisvestingscode die vooral het nachtleven ten goede moet komen. Wie naast een bestaande nachtclub of concertzaal komt wonen, zal voortaan zelf maatregelen moeten nemen tegen geluidshinder. \u201cDit [&hellip;]","og_url":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/the-brussels-parliament-approves-the-agent-of-change-principle\/","og_site_name":"Vooruit.brussels","article_modified_time":"2026-06-22T12:59:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/","url":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/","name":"Brussels Parliament approves 'agent of change' principle - Vooruit.brussels","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-05T12:48:08+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-22T12:59:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/colin-lloyd-xOwbxDSaoXI-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/nieuws\/brussels-parlement-keurt-agent-of-change-principe-goed\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Accueil","item":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Nieuws","item":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Brussels Parlement keurt &#8216;agent of change&#8217;-principe goed"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/","name":"Vooruit.brussels","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nieuws\/4766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nieuws"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/nieuws"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vooruit.brussels\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}