Urban Planning: faster permits and planning amnesty

RPD commitments

The Regional Policy Declaration devotes a significant section to urban planning and spatial development, with several structural reforms:

Faster permits

• Shorter processing times for urban planning permits — target to halve the approval period
• Simplified procedures for housing projects and energy renovations
• Full digitalisation of the application process via urban.brussels
• Fast-Track single window for the Urban Free Zones (Port of Brussels + Audi Forest site): centralised permit applications (planning, environment, aid) through a single entry point

Planning amnesty

• Regularisation of historic violations — compliance mechanism for situations predating a cut-off date
• Objective: reduce the backlog of infringement cases and provide legal certainty to property owners

CRMS reform

• Removal of the binding opinion of the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites, replaced by a simple advisory opinion
• Objective: unblock renovation projects in protected areas without eliminating heritage protection

Major projects

• Neo (Heysel) — revival of the congress and entertainment project on the Heysel plateau
• Ongoing SDPs — continuation of Strategic Development Plans for key areas

Brownfields: parliamentary vote (27 February 2026)

The Brussels Parliament rejected (68 to 4, 2 abstentions) an Ecolo draft ordinance proposing a construction moratorium on 9 green zones (Josaphat in Schaerbeek, Chant des Cailles in Watermael-Boitsfort, Meylemeersch in Anderlecht, Donderberg in Laeken, among others). Ecolo was the only group to vote against the rejection; N-VA and Vlaams Belang abstained.

The majority is applying the compromise set out in the coalition agreement:

• 3 sites permanently preserved: Wiels, Avijl, Donderberg
• 18-month moratorium on the remaining sites (Keyenbempt, Calevoet, Josaphat, Meylemeersch)
• Alain Maron (Ecolo) criticised the compromise as offering "no legal certainty" to local residents

Brownfield construction freeze: government appeal (March 2026)

The Brussels government has appealed the October 2025 ruling that imposed a construction freeze (bouwstop) on all brownfields larger than 0.5 hectares in the Brussels Region. The non-profit We Are Nature has announced it will counter by demanding penalty payments of EUR 250,000 to 500,000 per infraction to enforce compliance with the initial ruling.

Sites directly affected by this dispute:

• Palais du Midi (Metro 3 project — missing link)
• Bempt (Union Saint-Gilloise stadium)
• Kwartelveld

The outcome of this appeal, expected in 2027-2028, will determine the continuation of Metro 3 and several major real estate projects.

Sources: BRUZZ, La Libre, Le Soir (20-21 March 2026).

Jubelpark: Beliris renovation (federal decision, February 2026)

The federal Council of Ministers approved the launch of the call for tenders for the Jubelpark (Cinquantenaire) renovation, on a proposal by Bernard Quintin (MR, Beliris). The works aim to have the park ready for Belgium's bicentenary in 2030.

Planned works:

• Renewal of green zones, replanting and resurfacing of walking paths
• Athletics track and sports fields (the track will not be expanded to standard dimensions, to preserve the symmetry of the listed park)
• Rainwater collection system on the museum roofs
• Restoration of monumental staircases
• New pathway lighting (switched off at midnight to limit light pollution and protect fauna)
• Additional bike racks and cargo bike spaces
• Improved accessibility for persons with reduced mobility

Beliris is a federal cooperation mechanism for funding infrastructure in Brussels. This project falls under federal competence, but the works directly concern Brussels territory.

Tour & Taxis: water tower classified as heritage (March 2026)

The Secretary of State for Heritage classified the water tower and the electrical substation on the Tour & Taxis site. This classification protects these early 20th-century industrial architectural elements against any unauthorised demolition or transformation.

The Tour & Taxis site, a former freight station converted into a mixed-use district (offices, housing, public spaces), is the subject of major real estate developments. The classification of these structures ensures the preservation of Brussels' industrial heritage within this reconversion.

Source: DH (17 March 2026).

CoBAT reform: first concrete measures (19 March 2026)

The Secretary of State for Urban Planning announced on 19 March 2026 the first concrete measures of the CoBAT reform (Brussels Code of Territorial Planning):

Single permit:

• Integration of the environmental permit into the urban planning code — a single permit instead of two
• Target: timelines halved by the end of the legislature, with a maximum of 6 months for a standard permit

Institutional merger:

• Urban.brussels + Perspective.brussels merge into a new entity "Brussels Urbanism"
• Estimated savings: EUR 1,370,000 (operations) + EUR 232,000 (staff)

Revision of the PRAS (Regional Land Use Plan) underway.

Other planned reforms (DPR, chapter 6):

• RRU: revision of the Regional Urban Planning Regulation, which sets the standards applicable to all construction projects
• MyPermit: full digitalisation of the permit application process via the urban.brussels platform
• DLUU: establishment of a single legal urban planning deadline, to reduce uncertainty on processing times

Source: RTBF / Belga (19 March 2026).

Bois de la Cambre: urbanistic violation (23 March 2026)

The regional service urban.brussels issued a formal citation against the City of Brussels for urbanistic violations in the Bois de la Cambre. At issue: 40 concrete blocks installed on 13 March 2026 to replace boulders, without a building permit in a classified zone.

State Secretary for Urban Planning Audrey Henry (MR) recalled the obligation to obtain a permit for any development in a protected zone. Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) criticised "improvised and successive developments". Mobility Alderman Anais Maes (Vooruit, City of Brussels) confirmed a permit application would be submitted shortly (anchored blocks, aesthetic solution forthcoming).

This conflict illustrates an emerging tension between MR (Region) and Vooruit (City), the first visible crack in the 7-party government (day 37).

Sources: L'Avenir, DH (23 March 2026).

Key agencies

• urban.brussels — regional urban planning administration (permits, violations, SDPs)
• perspective.brussels — territorial planning and impact studies
• BMA (Bouwmeester Maître Architecte) — architectural quality of public projects
• SAU (Urban Development Corporation) — development of regional sites

We Are Nature circular: projects unblocked (3 April 2026)

The government approved on 3 April 2026 an interpretive circular to allow the processing of planning applications during the appeal procedure against the We Are Nature judgment.

In October 2025, the French-speaking court of first instance had ordered the Region to suspend the urbanisation of natural spaces (action brought by the ASBL We Are Nature). The government appealed on 20 March 2026.

The circular specifies that administrations may continue processing applications for projects on sites of 0.5 ha or more, provided that project promoters supply additional information on climate/emissions impact (GHG reduction, carbon sinks, tree zones). Projects within an approved SDP (Strategic Development Plan) are not covered by the judgment.

State Secretary for Urban Planning Audrey Henry (MR) confirmed that no effective moratorium is applied: projects continue despite the judgment.

Source: BRUZZ (3 April 2026). Confidence: official (government).

Bouwmeester's ambition plan (16 April 2026)

On Thursday 16 April 2026, the Brussels government approved the ambition plan of the Bouwmeester Maître Architecte (chief regional architect) Lisa De Visscher. The plan sets five lines of action for the term:

1. Streamlining review procedures — the BMA opinion will be delivered in half the prescribed time for projects ≥ 5,000 m², to accelerate the planning decision chain.
2. Affordable housing — public-private partnerships, exploration of housing cooperatives to break out of the speculation cycle and deliver quality, budget-friendly homes.
3. Public space resilience — adaptation to heat, increased greenery, de-paving (removal of hard surfaces).
4. Repurposing vacant buildings — "building with what already exists", supporting owners of empty buildings to find a future use.
5. Transversal quality — continuation of architectural competitions and matching the right public and private partners, with a requirement of contribution to the neighbourhood.

The plan complements the RPD measures to speed up permits (halving processing times) with a specific emphasis on architectural quality and sustainability. The chief architect oversees the spatial quality of new projects across the whole Brussels-Capital Region.

Source: BRUZZ (16 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Union Saint-Gilloise stadium — appeal against nature derogation rejected (23 April 2026)

On 23 April 2026, the Brussels Council of Ministers confirmed the decision of the Environmental Appeals Board declaring the appeal by Inter-Environnement Bruxelles, Natagora and the We Are Nature collective against the nature derogation for the new Union Saint-Gilloise stadium at the Bempt site in Forest "admissible but unfounded".

The derogation, granted in summer 2025 by Brussels Environment, authorises the felling of approximately 240 trees and was justified by the "great public interest" and "broad social and economic significance" of the project (stadium for 16,000 spectators). We Are Nature is considering an appeal to the Council of State.

Source: Brussels Regional Government (23 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Biestebroeck marsh (Anderlecht): no protected landscape classification (24 April 2026)

On 24 April 2026, the Brussels Council of Ministers formally decided not to open a classification procedure for the "Biestebroeck marsh" in Anderlecht as a protected landscape.

The site — a former Shell petroleum depot left as wasteland — has evolved into a spontaneous wetland according to Natagora. The owner (Vervoordt Real Estate) now plans a housing development there after abandoning a previous marina project. The decision removes the regulatory obstacle to a property project on the site, but does not prejudge the subsequent granting of a planning permit.

Source: Brussels Regional Government (24 April 2026). Confidence: official.

Auderghem: blacklist of real estate projects and legal funding (May 2026)

The municipality of Auderghem announced it will fund a law firm to systematically block large regional real estate projects it considers too dense. A blacklist of targeted projects has been established.

The construction sector (UPSI/BVS) denounces wasteful public spending and institutional cacophony between municipality and region.

Sources: La Libre Belgique, La DH Bruxelles, BRUZZ Stedenbouw, L'Avenir Bruxelles (9 May 2026). Confidence: official (municipal decision).

Bois de la Cambre: Fiesta Latina sent away by the City of Brussels (17 May 2026)

On 17 May 2026, the City of Brussels announced that the Fiesta Latina will no longer be held in the Bois de la Cambre: the area "must remain a green lung". The decision comes two months after the formal citation by urban.brussels against the City for planning violations (concrete blocks without permit, 23 March 2026 — see also institutional card). The case illustrates the tension between festive uses and the protected status of the Bois de la Cambre.

Source: BRUZZ Politiek (17 May 2026). Confidence: official.

King Baudouin Stadium: damage after the Belgian Cup final (14 May 2026)

After the 2026 Belgian Cup final, the City of Brussels deplores damage to the King Baudouin Stadium. The municipal statement ("it's a disgrace") comes in the context of the joint City + Region request for federal co-funding for the stadium renovation (announced on 22 April 2026 — see institutional card). The damage raises questions about the governance of major sporting events and the sharing of restoration costs.

Source: La Libre (14 May 2026). Confidence: official.

Cureghem (Anderlecht): a quarter of inspected façades not compliant (9 May 2026)

BRUZZ Stedenbouw reports on 9 May 2026 that a quarter of the inspected façades in the Cureghem neighbourhood (Anderlecht) are not compliant with planning rules. Typical breaches: illegal advertising panels, oversized letter boxes, other breaches of the regional planning regulation (RRU). Signal on the implementation of local planning inspections. To monitor: follow-up to formal citations, cooperation between the Anderlecht municipality and urban.brussels.

Source: BRUZZ Stedenbouw (9 May 2026). Confidence: official.

Sources and methodology

The commitments documented above come from the official RPD text and corroborating press sources covering the government agreement of 12 February 2026.