This announcement is all the more surprising as the company announced increased usage figures. According to the RTBF, the company « doubled in 2018 its number of customers compared to 2017 » with an increase in the number of trips by 75% compared to 2017.

The company launched its activities in Brussels in September 2016 and had a fleet of nearly 250 cars in a large part of the Belgian capital. Its coverage area did not extend to the northwest of the region.

Zipcar has also announced its departure from Paris and Barcelona. The decision has been driven by its main shareholder, the Avis car rental company.

Present in more than 500 cities around the world, Zipcar will continue to invest and grow, with leading operations in the UK and North America. It will also develop the business model in markets where it sees opportunities for growth, the company reported.

Brussels Mobility Minister Pascal Smet (sp.a) regretted the departure of the shared car company. « We regret this sudden departure from Brussels, also effective in Barcelona and Paris. This seems to be dictated by economic reasons but we will be interested to know what prompted Avis to make this decision, » commented the cabinet of the Brussels’ Minister.

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Once two consecutive days of high air pollution are registered in the city, the council will allow passengers onboard buses, trams and metros completely free.

Cars speed limits will also decrease by about a third and stoves burning wood banned under the law proposed last week in a joint effort to lower emissions. The measures are expected to start this summer.

Upcoming apps and websites will be available for residents to check Pollution levels to see when it excel the levels and when transport will have free use.

Brussels’ mobility minister Pascal Smet told The Guardian these measures would review tax and planning benefits that have benefited the 350,000 regular car commuters over the years.

“We need to create quality public space,” Pascal said. “Research shows that the more space you give to cars, the more cars you attract. Indeed, the most car-friendly cities are also the most congested. By giving back space to pedestrians and cyclists, cities can create places where people meet and connect.”

Brussels failure to deal with its air quality has long embarrassed EU officials and diplomats who often talk about reducing EU nations pollution. That’s why this move is the milestone of Brussels move towards low emissions zones that will progressively phase out the most polluting cars from its streets; with City buses to all be electrified by 2030.

Brussels planners are hoping this move will not only reduce pollution but create a family-friendly city. “The idea is not to ban cars from the city, but to find a new balance,” Pascal said.

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The STIB rates will not increase in 2018, announced this Friday the Brussels Minister of Mobility Pascal Smet on Twitter.

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International artists and groups will invade the most iconic places in Brussels to illuminate them. Among them are TETRO, from France and Whitevoid, from Berlin, who will provide creative lighting for the future Kanal (the former Citroën garage and future museum of contemporary art) by installing the imposing work “Stalactite”.

From the quay district to the Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains, by way of the Béguinage, various installations will sprawl across the capital – with the Quay and Sainte-Catherine districts flaunting their most beautiful features with 11 illuminated installations and animations.

The Festival of Light will offer visitors and residents a unique opportunity to see the authentic districts of the capital in a very different light. In particular, they will be able to explore hidden treasures like the Béguinage district and the Institut Pacheco [Pacheco Institute].

On the initiative of Rudi Vervoort, the Minister and President of the Brussels region, and Pascal Smet, Brussels Minister for Mobility and Public Works, visit.brussels will coordinate the installation of these monumental artworks in the heart of the European capital.

“On top of the creation of Kanal, the new cultural hub and future contemporary art museum, the Brussels-Capital Region continues to work to develop the historical Quays and Béguinage neighbourhoods. These venues that are bursting with history and not well known by the public deserve to be showcased. The Festival of Light will let visitors and Brussels inhabitants explore all the facets of these authentic and convivial neighbourhoods that bear witness to Brussels’ rich heritage as a shipping port”, exclaimed a delighted Rudi Vervoort.

“Light and the city’s public lighting are fundamental elements for the image and value of our region. Thanks to the Bright Brussels light festival, the city shines, and neighbourhoods are decorated with lights and magical installations that will enchant young and old. Light helps to frame the urban landscape, give the city an identity and amaze its inhabitants and passing tourists. This festival is the perfect chance for Brussels inhabitants to come together, meet and rediscover their city from a new angle as the sun goes down.” declared Pascal Smet.

Good to know:

• 22/02/2018 until 25/02/2018
• 6:30pm until 11:00pm

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Brussels Express collected a Brussels bad mouthing best of.

Donald Trump, US President, 2016: “Brussels is like living in a Hellhole”.

Donald Trump, US President, 2016: “Belgium is a beautiful city”.

Eric Zemmour, French journalist, 2015: “France should bomb Molenbeek”.

Noel Gallagher, former Oasis singer, 2015: “Brussels, it’s fucking boring”.

Philippe Geluck, Belgian cartoonist, 2015 “This is where I come from, where I live and where I will probably die. Brussels is an aberration, but endearing. Like an ugly girlfriend that you don’t dare introduce to friends, but with who you feel very good”. 

Jonathan Brenton, former UK Ambassador to Belgium, 2013: “If you think you understood Belgium, you were badly explained”. 

Steven Rubenstein, US author, 2013: “The Brussels sprout. This is also the worst vegetable of next year”

Dave Barry, US author, 1987: “Werewolves, dentists, North Koreans, and Sunday School all paled in comparison with Brussels sprouts”

Charles Baudelaire, French poet, 1860s: “Should I thank God to be French and not to be Belgian?”

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Smet’s comments have been condemned across the political spectrum. The First Minister in the Brussels Regional Government Rudi Vervoort (Francophone socialist) was among those to slam Mr Smet’s words.

In the interview with POLITICO Smet unveils his plans for 21st century Brussels. He talks about car culture and how he believes we should move away from it.

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Infrastructure works have a long history in Belgium. Following the epical renovation of Schuman metro station, the Brussels authorities decided to work on a new roundabout for Schuman in order to make it more friendly, attractive and inclusive. Schuman is indeed not very welcoming for both pedestrians and cyclists.

In a press release released last Thursday, Pascal Smet stated that “Schuman square is an example of what Brussels no longer needs to be. This square will be returned to the Brusselians and Europeans. It will become tomorrow a urban agora – a meeting place in a peaceful area”.

A pedestrian area will be set up from Cinquantenaire to rue de la Loi. The public authorities also want to make Rue de la Loi pedestrian from Cinquantenaire to Schuman, although cars would still be allowed to be drive from Cortenbergh to the roundabout.

A call for proposals was launched in 2015 and two architecture firms, COBE (from Denmark) and BRUT (from Belgium) have been selected to design the future square.

Additional reports will be drafted over the upcoming months and a permit application should be submitted by the end of 2018.

Brussels-Capital Region estimated that this project would cost about 7.78 million Euros (excluding VAT). The region will only fund the impact assessments and the management of the project.

The first works should be conducted in the first semester 2019. How much time will it take?

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