FLAGEY

study for the greening of the Place Flagey and Sainte-Croix

client . Ixelles - Brussels Mobility
location . Brussels (BE)
timing . 2022-2023 (study), 2023-2024 (construction)

type . public space

team . Fallow, Ecorce

program . green space, raingarden, urban furniture, climate adaptation

procedure . competition won bMa 2021

In 2007, Place Flagey and Sainte-Croix were redesigned by Latz & Partners and D+A International. The former parking lot was replaced by a meeting place for young and old and evolved into a vibrant urban meeting place and events square. Although the square is actively used, there is an increasing demand for additional green spaces that take into account heat stress, water storage and biodiversity challenges. 

The design proposal builds on the guiding principles of the initial design and the idea of greenery around a central open space, referring to the historic ponds in the Maelbeek valley. This new ‘green layer’ for the two squares includes around 2.000m2 of extra green space and the planting of around 60 new trees. The new green areas also function as rain gardens for buffering excess rainwater. The planting areas of the existing trees will also be revised to improve growing conditions (drainage, substrate, aeration) The municipality of Ixelles and the Brussels Region foresee the construction of the project in 2024.