Molendike: how the quays along the Canal in Molenbeek can become a lively promenade
Molenbeek wants to make the quays a real meeting place. During a press event at Quai du Hainaut, Deputy Saliha Raïss explained the project, which was baptised Molendike. Just like the promenades in popular seaside resorts, these quays could also become an attraction for Brussels residents and visitors.
The current situation - in which the quays are largely car-free - offers a unique opportunity to develop a long-term vision for the entire area. In that context, the municipality also wants to think about the layout of the bridges over the canal, as well as the adjacent squares and streets. In this way, Molendike will not only be a renovation project of the public space along the canal, but also a connecting link between neighbourhoods and people on both sides of the water.
The municipality already defined a number of essential objectives and elements for the success of this project and invited all actors involved for consultations.
’In Belgium as well as abroad, dikes and waterfront promenades bring people together. They walk or cycle there, have an ice cream on a terrace, or let their children have fun in complete safety. This stretch of Molenbeek has been yearning for quality public space for years. We must take advantage of the reinforcement works on the quay walls to redesign the street according to the idea of a waterside promenade: a place that increases Molenbeek residents‘ quality of life.’
Saliha Raïss, Deputy for Mobility and Public Works in Molenbeek
.jpeg "Saliha Raïss (Vooruit.brussels)")
The Quays: a lively axis and a route for soft mobility
Along the Brussels Canal, things are buzzing with renewal. What was once a drab industrial zone at Porte de Ninove has since been transformed into a lively city park. A new park was recently opened on the Quai de Béco and, on the other side, the cultural centre Kanal-Centre Pompidou is gradually taking shape in the former Citroën garage. Place Sainctelette is also undergoing a metamorphosis into a green meeting place, with more space for pedestrians and cyclists. In summer 2024, planning permission was also granted for the redevelopment of Maximilian Park, where the river Senne will be reopened.
Among all these developments, Quai du Hainaut and Quai des Charbonnages remain behind for the time being - they are the missing link in this urban renewal. Molenbeek municipality wants to fill that gap and takes advantage of the current necessary works on the quay walls as an opportunity to redesign the area around the canal, with space for new urban functions and encounters.
Essential objectives and elements
1. Quality promenade designed for people
The redevelopment should be well thought-out, with high-quality materials and well-designed street furniture such as benches, lighting, play equipment and rubbish bins. The municipality is asking Brussels Mobility to also provide a temporary layout in the short term, so that residents can start using the place now. Inspiration was found in Paris, where the temporary reconstruction of a Seine bank grew into the successful Parc Rives-de-Seine.
As part of Molenbeek's candidacy for Brussels2030 (European Capital of Culture), Molendigue has the potential to become a new eye-catcher of Brussels and a proud gateway to the municipality.
2. Mobility study for motorised traffic
A mobility study must identify the needs of residents, businesses and visitors. Access to garages, delivery zones and shops must be guaranteed. Among other things, Molenbeek proposes to:
- reverse the direction of traffic between Porte de Ninove and Porte de Flandre,
- simplify the Porte de Flandre,
- and explore the use of smart ANPR cameras.
3. Cycling infrastructure on a Scandinavian level
With an average of 175 cyclists per hour, the Quai des Charbonnages is one of the busiest cycling points in Brussels. Yet the current cycle path is too narrow and shared with pedestrians. The reconstruction should:
- provide safe cycling infrastructure,
- integrate sufficient bicycle parking spaces,
- ensure a safe passage for all users.
4. Parking facilities for residents
Together with regional actors, the municipality wants to:
- find structural solutions, including for the utilisation of the Brunfaut car park,
- make it accessible at residents' rates,
- and provide additional loading and unloading zones and short-term parking spaces.
5. Extra advantages for shops
As on a seafront promenade, Molendigue offers opportunities for shops: more visibility, terraces, customer bicycle parking, etc. The municipality wants to map and exploit this potential together with shopkeepers.
6. Trees and shrubs
Molendigue should become a green link between the park at Porte de Ninove and the new Maximilian Park.
Although Brussels gained 400 hectares of additional green space in 40 years, it is unevenly distributed. In Molenbeek and the Pentagon, the need for additional trees and shrubs is particularly high. This redevelopment offers a unique opportunity to change that.
7. Integration of surrounding streets, squares and bridges
The municipality's vision extends beyond the quays themselves.
The bridge at the rue de Witte de Haelen, the intersection at Porte de Flandre and surrounding streets are an integral part of the project. By looking at these more broadly, Molendigue can truly become a connecting urban project.
Najlae El Hafidi