Brussels to consider four Car-Free Sundays per year

Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) hopes to persuade the region's 19 mayors to agree to have four Car-Free Sundays each year.

The current once-annual Car-Free Sunday, during which Brussels roads are closed to vehicular traffic (with some exceptions), has been a popular initiative since its inception in 2001.

“On Car-Free Sunday, children play in the streets, people meet each other and there’s peace and fresh air,” Van den Brandt said. “Why should we limit that happiness to just one day?”

Van den Brandt wants to work with the conference of mayors – the consultative body in which all 19 Brussels mayors sit – to increase the number of car-free days to four per year during spring, summer and autumn.

Some mayors have already come out in favour of the proposal and Van den Brandt even has one date in mind: the Iris Festival on 8 May.

“The Brussels public holiday is perfect for this: if we give the streets back to residents and traders, everyone can enjoy our Brussels Day to the full,” Van den Brandt said.

According to her office, 40% of Brussels households own a car – well below the national average of 70%.

Van den Brandt said it was “time to restore that balance and let Brussels residents experience more often how pleasant and healthy a city without cars can be”.

The mobility minister also points to the health benefits of the initiative.

“During the previous Car-Free Sunday, air pollution fell by almost 90% at certain measuring points and noise levels dropped dramatically,” said Van den Brandt.

“Retailers and restaurants also had a great day. With four car-free days a year, we’re temporarily giving the city back to the people of Brussels. We are showing how we can make the city more liveable and safer, step by step.”