Willy Borsus, the Minister of Urbanism and Territorial Development, emphasized that while “C” may not be the end, it is a series of steps aimed at saving and better managing the territory. The government’s goal is to reduce the consumption of unbuilt land from 11 km² per year to 6 km² by 2030. To achieve this, Wallonia plans to encourage urbanization in centralities, whether rural, semi-rural, or urban, in order to gradually reduce the consumption of space, particularly ribbon space along roads. As Le Soir noted, urbanization has already taken up 562 km², more than three times the size of Namur. However, Borsus stressed that this situation is unsustainable, and Wallonia should not become urbanized like other countries. The future territorial development code and Walloon territorial development scheme will promote more urbanization in the centers while also ensuring access to green spaces, services, and public transportation. Ultimately, balancing urbanization with the preservation of unbuilt spaces is essential, as unbuilt spaces absorb water.
“Ce is not the end, but it is in any case a series of steps which aims to save, to better manage the territory“, specifies Willy Borsus straight away at the microphone of Danielle Welter on La Première. While 11 km² of unbuilt land is consumed each year, the government’s objective is to reduce this amount by 2030 to 6 km².
To do this, Wallonia intends to encourage “urbanization in the centralities, quthey silknt besides rural, semi-rural or urban, so as to be able little by little to nibble less the space and in particular the space in ribbonTo outside in a number of localities, along voiries that we have too often known in the past“, says the Minister of Urbanism and Territorial Development.
As Le Soir pointed out, urbanization has won 562 km²either more than three times the area of the city of Namur. “Ultimately, this is unsustainable. We realize that the exercise a limits. The goal is not for Wallonia to become urbanized, like what we encounter in other countries. […] IIt is also necessary to take into account the fact that of course unbuilt space is space which absorbs especially water“, exposes the liberal. A balance at the heart of orientations of the future territorial development code and Walloon territorial development scheme, he assures, who will plead for more urbanization in the centers. “Lhe goal is to be able to have access to green spaces, to a certain number of services, also public transport.“
In conclusion, Wallonia’s aim to reduce the consumption of unbuilt land by 2030 is a laudable effort towards better management of the territory. As Minister Willy Borsus noted, urbanization in centralities – both rural and urban – is vital to achieve this goal. However, he also emphasized the need for balance and cautioned once morest unsustainable levels of urbanization. As Wallonia moves forward with its territorial development code and Walloon territorial development scheme, it is essential that access to green spaces, public transport, and important services are taken into account. Only then can Wallonia truly thrive as a sustainable and prosperous region.
