Brussels Governance MonitorKey dossiers
The dossiers shaping the future of Brussels, tracked and sourced
Accessibility and disability in Brussels: transport, employment and data
Brussels has approximately 23,100 disability allowance recipients (FPS, 2024). The handistreaming ordinance (2016) requires the systematic inclusion of disability in all policies. The DPR mentions handistreaming once, with no dedicated section or quantified target.
Subsidised Contract Workers: the weakened pillar of Brussels non-profit employment
~10,000 ACS positions in Brussels (6,700 active), regional budget of ~250M EUR via Actiris. No new positions created since 2007. The 6th State Reform transferred the competence to the Regions. The regional reform launched in 2015 shifts the tool from structural support to activation policy. The non-profit sector demonstrated on 3 February 2026 for a social agreement.
Citizens' assemblies: 6 commissions completed, 205+ recommendations, 7th in preparation
Brussels has two participatory democracy mechanisms: the deliberative commissions of Parliament (45 randomly selected citizens + 15 MPs) and the permanent citizens' assembly for climate. Six commissions completed since 2021 (205+ recommendations), a 7th on public cleanliness approved in January 2026. The climate assembly has completed 3 cycles. In parallel, several municipalities have launched participatory budgets.
Data centres and AI: impact on the Brussels energy system
Belgian data centres consume 3.2 TWh of electricity (4% of the national total, twice the European average). With KevlinX BRU01 operational in Neder-Over-Heembeek since January 2026, the Brussels-Capital Region is directly affected. Projections indicate 7 to 15.5 TWh by 2035.
Bankruptcies in Brussels: overview, sectors and regional mechanisms
In 2025, 2,208 businesses were declared bankrupt in the Brussels-Capital Region (+13.2% year-on-year). Construction, hospitality and transport are the hardest-hit sectors. The Region has support mechanisms (CEd, hub.brussels, PRJ), but their capacity relative to the scale of the phenomenon remains to be documented.
LEZ: maintained with annual pass and reduced fines
The February 2026 agreement maintains the LEZ but introduces an annual pass (350 EUR, social rate 200 EUR) as an alternative to per-infraction fines. The fine is reduced to 80 EUR and the cap of 4 fines/year is removed.
Shared mobility in Brussels: e-scooters, bicycles, taxis and the battle over concessions
In March 2025, around 9,200 shared e-scooters and 6,500 shared bicycles operate in Brussels, within a regulatory framework in full legal turmoil. The Villo! concession (360 stations, JCDecaux) expires in September 2026 with no identified successor. Taxis are undergoing a zero-emission transition postponed to 2027, while the Labour Court reclassified an Uber driver as an employee.
PFAS in Brussels: soil and water contamination
82 contaminated parcels identified in the Brussels Region. The Sicli site in Uccle shows levels up to 1,000× the standard. TFA exceeds the future EU norm in all 6 drinking water reservoirs. The Environment Council calls for an integrated framework (February 2026).
Security plan: regional anti-drugs commissioner and 10M EUR for railway stations
The February 2026 agreement provides for an integrated regional security plan, a regional anti-drugs commissioner, 10M EUR for securing the Midi and Nord railway stations, and interconnection of video surveillance systems.
Seniors in Brussels: housing, autonomy and data
Brussels has approximately 163,000 people aged 65 and over (13% of the population). Iriscare funds 211 elderly care facilities (541M EUR in 2024). The DPR (Regional Policy Declaration) mentions home care and informal caregivers, without a specific budget or quantified targets.
SLRB: 1,000+ public housing units and financial consolidation
The February 2026 agreement provides for the financial consolidation of the SLRB and the construction of over 1,000 public housing units during the legislature (400M EUR). The waiting list exceeds 50,000 households.
Vivaqua: financial consolidation announced
The February 2026 agreement provides for the financial consolidation of Vivaqua. The multi-year investment plan (~1.3 billion EUR) for water network renewal can be restarted.
Police zone merger: from 6 to 1, vote expected before summer 2026
The federal government approved in second reading (23 Dec. 2025) a draft bill merging the 6 Brussels police zones into a single zone, with a budget of EUR 65M. Minister Quintin presented the project to the Chamber's Interior committee (10 Feb. 2026). Vote expected before summer 2026.
Reform of the regional administration: from 25 entities to 4 pillars
The Brussels government announces an administrative 'Big Bang': restructuring ~25 regional entities into 4 pillars, an extended hiring freeze, and a target of 250-300M EUR in savings by 2029. First confirmed merger: perspective.brussels + urban.brussels in 2026.
Good Move: replaced by a new mobility plan
The February 2026 agreement announces the replacement of Good Move by a new Regional Mobility Plan, with smaller cells centred on school zones and a fundamental revision focused on road safety and quality of life.
Metro 3: project frozen for 10 years, replaced by tram
The February 2026 agreement announces the abandonment of the Metro 3 project as conceived (Albert — Bordet extension, ~5.2 Bn EUR). The metro is frozen for 10 years and replaced by a tram completing the loop of the existing network.
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