The trade observatory: a concerted vision of the commercial fabric of Brussels
On 26 April, hub.brussels and perspective.brussels signed an agreement to combine and optimise their skills on common projects relating to territorial studies and analysis. The first projects in this collaboration are the new booklet by the Trade Observatory and an economic diagnosis method in the Midi district.
The collaboration between hub.brussels and perspective.brussels has intensified since the beginning of the COVID crisis. The two institutions have pooled their respective data so they can submit to the Brussels Government a real-time monitoring of the impact of the crisis on Brussels economic activity.
One week after the launch of the Brussels economic transition strategy (Shifting Economy), the conclusion of this framework agreement marks the Brussels institutions’ ambition to better structure their collaboration in order to develop complementary strategic visions and benefit from the cross-fertilization of expertise.
What planning permits tell us
For several years, the Trade Observatory has been analysing the evolution and spatial distribution of commercial and hotel functions in the Brussels Region. A new booklet, written jointly by hub.brussels and perspective.brussels, the multidisciplinary regional expertise centre, is now available and presents the trends observed in the sector thanks to an in-depth analysis of the planning permits issued in 2019.
“The urban economy is an important element in our mission to plan the city,” explains Antoine de Borman, Managing Director of perspective.brussels. “The Observatoire du Commerce provides us with points of analysis for identifying the trends in this function for the entire Brussels territory. Stepping up our collaboration with hub.brussels allows us to provide a more discerning response to economic challenges and opportunities and integrate them into our thinking about the city of tomorrow.”
This analysis takes into account different ways of understanding the territory of Brussels:
- its urban structure;
- its planning framework (Regional Land Use Plan zones);
- the commercial environment.
Main findings in a few figures
In 2019, 645 planning permits were issued for commercial or hotel functions. A planning permit may involve minor alterations to the building (change of windows, placement of a sign, etc.) but mainly (positive or negative) modifications to the commercial space.
Overall, there has been a total increase of 21,270 m² of space for retail (10,899 m²) and hotels (10,371 m²).
In addition, this new number shows that in the commercial environment, there is a growing trend towards the development of large-scale retail projects outside the commercial core. Some examples are the administrative centre of Pacheco, the transformation of old warehouses near the Tour & Taxis site and the development of a new business park in Evere near the Reyers district.
In addition, an analysis of planning permits allows the identification of redevelopment trends. The 2019 figures show that the increase in space for commercial and hotel functions often came at the expense of converting warehouses and workshops into large commercial spaces. Conversely, when these surfaces decrease, it is essentially to create housing.
A new economic analysis method
To meet urban regeneration ambitions in the Brussels-Capital Region, particularly following the pandemic, the objective is to develop an economic stimulus specifically designed for shopping districts. Developing specific tools makes it possible to understand the economic identity of the territory through an exhaustive economic analysis process.
“Another great example of the pooling of our respective strengths and skills, this analysis tool, developed by hub.brussels, will make it possible to integrate hub.brussels’ knowledge and practice in the economic and commercial field into perspective.brussels’ territorial development projects,” says Isabelle Grippa, CEO of hub.brussels. “Once tested and evaluated, this method could be available for any urban regeneration programme in the Brussels Region.”
This new method will make it possible to:
- better understand the economic dynamics within a district, including elements that can be economically valued but are rarely taken into consideration, such as the informal economy, the skills of the population and spontaneous solidarity;
- mobilise and structure local economic stakeholders to build an economic development project that goes hand in hand with the regeneration project;
- produce a vision and an economic development strategy thought out in a concerted and integrated manner with the population and the local entrepreneurial fabric.
In execution of the Regional Economic Transition Strategy (SRTE), this diagnostic method will be developed this year in conjunction with the Urban Renovation Contract around the Gare du Midi (CRU 7), in a particularly strategic area for the Brussels Region.
A condensed version of the Trade Observatory and its highlights is also available on analytics.brussels, our economic data visualisation platform.
