Watermael-Boitsfort: good transparency, political transition

Brussels' greenest municipality

Watermael-Boitsfort is a residential municipality of 25,000 inhabitants, known for its green spaces (Sonian Forest) and garden cities. After 12 years of Ecolo mayoralty, David Leisterh (MR) takes over with an MR-Les Engagés + Ecolo-Groen coalition.

Transparency: 5 out of 6 criteria

The budget and council minutes are published online, the council is broadcast via livestream (dedicated page with replays), the mandate registry is accessible, and a participation service manages neighbourhood meetings and participatory budgets. No dedicated Open Data portal.

Political transition

David Leisterh's arrival as mayor marks the end of the Ecolo era in Watermael-Boitsfort. Ecolo nevertheless retains the CPAS presidency and two aldermanic positions in the new majority. Leisterh's dual role between his private sector activity and his duties as mayor has raised questions.

Recent developments

The Naïades school (primary education) has announced its closure due to a 40% decline in birth rate in the municipality, a demographic trend affecting several schools in Brussels' outer ring.

Naïades school: closure confirmed, nursery project under study

The closure of the Naïades nursery school, announced in March 2026, has been confirmed for July 2026. Pupils are being transferred to the Colibri and Les Aigrettes schools, keeping their classes together. The municipality is studying converting the building into a nursery (crèche) to address the shortage of places, a step described as "heavy" by the alderwoman for Early Childhood, Hang Nguyen; funding via the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles is being considered, according to the municipality. This project remains at the intention stage, with no formal decision taken so far.

Calypso pool: temporary closure for works

The Calypso pool closed in late April 2026 for renovation works (insulation, changing rooms, terraces), following roof works carried out since August 2025. It reopened during June 2026; the exact date varies between sources (initially announced for late May, "after two months of works" according to a 12 June report).

Sources: BX1, RTBF, Bruxelles Today (February-June 2026, Naïades school); DH, BX1 (March-June 2026, Calypso pool).