Day 1 – Review Meeting
The first day focused on a comprehensive review of project progress, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and next steps in co-developing nature-based solutions (NBS) across our lighthouse cities. Discussions emphasized the importance of local engagement, effective communication, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the long-term success of our NBS initiatives.
Day 2 – Technical Visit: From Rooftops to Underground Waters
On January 23, partners embarked on a technical visit, exploring Brussels’ integrated approach to water management—from rainwater retention systems to underground sewer networks.
Athénée Royal de Bruxelles 2 – Engaging students in urban resilience
The visit began at a secondary school involved in the Recreation project, funded by Brussels Environment, where students actively participate in demineralizing their schoolyard to enhance water infiltration. The school has also developed vegetable gardens, and thanks to TRANS-Lighthouses, rainwater harvesting tanks will soon complement these efforts. Alex Liesenborghs introduced the challenges and creative solutions proposed by students to improve stormwater management and urban resilience.
Heysel Plateau & Verregat Park – From infiltration zones to community-led solutions
The next stop was the Heysel Plateau, near the Atomium, where partners observed an infiltration zone in Trademart, designed to reduce runoff and help mitigate urban flooding in Laeken. The visit continued to Verregat Park, where additional infiltration zones are being developed following citizen co-diagnostics carried out as part of TRANS-Lighthouses.
A walking tour of the Verregat neighborhood provided insights into the potential for further NBS implementation, before heading to Rosmary House, a cooperative housing initiative, to meet Comensia, the social housing cooperative. Discussions focused on the pilot project in the neighborhood, starting with co-diagnostic activities and the renovation of rainwater harvesting tanks. This initiative showcases how TRANS-Lighthouses is actively supporting Brussels in becoming a water-sensitive city. By multiplying infiltration zones—including those in Verregat—the city aims to reduce runoff and lower the risk of flooding downstream.
Participatory Budgeting – Creativity, patience, and opportunity
The Brussels Participation Unit presented the participatory budget process in Laeken, emphasizing three key ingredients for success: creativity, patience, and opportunity. The team showcased inspiring projects, including urban vegetable gardens and playful, preventive street art installations aimed at fostering community engagement and climate adaptation.
Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum) – From surface to subsurface
A highlight of the visit was a tour of the Sewer Museum, featuring the “After Rain comes” exhibition. Participants explored Brussels' underground water infrastructure, gaining insights into urban water management challenges and innovative solutions to improve water quality, prevent overflows, and enhance climate adaptation. The consortium also discovered three educational awareness-raising boxes, which will soon be used to engage students in schools on water-related issues.
A shared commitment to resilient cities
This two-day event reinforced the strong collaboration between partners and highlighted how TRANS-Lighthouses is actively supporting Brussels in its transition toward a water-sensitive city. The discussions and site visits provided valuable inspiration as the project continues to develop inclusive, participatory, and sustainable nature-based solutions across Europe.
A big thank you to all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment! We look forward to the next steps in our shared journey toward climate-resilient communities.
#TRANSLighthouses #NatureBasedSolutions #UrbanResilience #WaterManagement #Brussels
Day 1 – Review Meeting
The first day focused on a comprehensive review of project progress, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and next steps in co-developing nature-based solutions (NBS) across our lighthouse cities. Discussions emphasized the importance of local engagement, effective communication, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the long-term success of our NBS initiatives.
Day 2 – Technical Visit: From Rooftops to Underground Waters
On January 23, partners embarked on a technical visit, exploring Brussels’ integrated approach to water management—from rainwater retention systems to underground sewer networks.
Athénée Royal de Bruxelles 2 – Engaging students in urban resilience
The visit began at a secondary school involved in the Recreation project, funded by Brussels Environment, where students actively participate in demineralizing their schoolyard to enhance water infiltration. The school has also developed vegetable gardens, and thanks to TRANS-Lighthouses, rainwater harvesting tanks will soon complement these efforts. Alex Liesenborghs introduced the challenges and creative solutions proposed by students to improve stormwater management and urban resilience.
Heysel Plateau & Verregat Park – From infiltration zones to community-led solutions
The next stop was the Heysel Plateau, near the Atomium, where partners observed an infiltration zone in Trademart, designed to reduce runoff and help mitigate urban flooding in Laeken. The visit continued to Verregat Park, where additional infiltration zones are being developed following citizen co-diagnostics carried out as part of TRANS-Lighthouses.
A walking tour of the Verregat neighborhood provided insights into the potential for further NBS implementation, before heading to Rosmary House, a cooperative housing initiative, to meet Comensia, the social housing cooperative. Discussions focused on the pilot project in the neighborhood, starting with co-diagnostic activities and the renovation of rainwater harvesting tanks. This initiative showcases how TRANS-Lighthouses is actively supporting Brussels in becoming a water-sensitive city. By multiplying infiltration zones—including those in Verregat—the city aims to reduce runoff and lower the risk of flooding downstream.
Participatory Budgeting – Creativity, patience, and opportunity
The Brussels Participation Unit presented the participatory budget process in Laeken, emphasizing three key ingredients for success: creativity, patience, and opportunity. The team showcased inspiring projects, including urban vegetable gardens and playful, preventive street art installations aimed at fostering community engagement and climate adaptation.
Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum) – From surface to subsurface
A highlight of the visit was a tour of the Sewer Museum, featuring the “After Rain comes” exhibition. Participants explored Brussels' underground water infrastructure, gaining insights into urban water management challenges and innovative solutions to improve water quality, prevent overflows, and enhance climate adaptation. The consortium also discovered three educational awareness-raising boxes, which will soon be used to engage students in schools on water-related issues.
A shared commitment to resilient cities
This two-day event reinforced the strong collaboration between partners and highlighted how TRANS-Lighthouses is actively supporting Brussels in its transition toward a water-sensitive city. The discussions and site visits provided valuable inspiration as the project continues to develop inclusive, participatory, and sustainable nature-based solutions across Europe.
A big thank you to all participants for their enthusiasm and commitment! We look forward to the next steps in our shared journey toward climate-resilient communities.
#TRANSLighthouses #NatureBasedSolutions #UrbanResilience #WaterManagement #Brussels
