Make.Brussels: 10 Creative Ideas To Transform The Downtown District

Kring is a café, concept store, bike shop and a creative space for culture. The inspiration comes from the unusual identity of the Dansaert district itself – with its little streets, cool cafés, boutiques and open spaces. Kring wants to become an equally unusual place which naturally matches its surroundings and brings the residents together. Visitors will be able to grab a coffee for a literary reading, enjoy live music while having your bike repaired, and taste local Belgian products before heading out for a bike trip around the city.
Dansaert, Brussels, Belgium

Beautiful little moments happen around us, and sometimes we are so isolated that we tend to miss them. The idea is to capture the authenticity of the little things – gestures, kisses or courtesies, which can happen unconsciously, such as when we ride the tram to school, go to work or do the weekly shopping. Entramie is a platform where passengers will be encouraged to upload short videos of these everyday moments. The creative spirit of the residents will be transformed into a short movie and screened in a public space to prompt us to look at people around us in all their beauty.
Midi-Lemonnier, Brussels, Belgium

In typical Belgian humorist fashion, the project derives its name from the ‘hell hole’ reference made about Brussels by Donald Trump. To demonstrate the contrary, the fourth edition of Nationa(a)l brings together the best of Belgian talent Brussels has to offer – fashion, visual arts, music, dance, film and design. The pavilion, designed by a young Brussels architect and curated by famous Belgian artists like Girls In Hawaii, Tim Van Steenbergen, Elvis Pompilio, An Pierlé, Bilall Fallah & Adil el Arbi and Jean-François d’Or, features performances, interventions, concerts, fashion shows and more.
Mont des Arts, Brussels, Belgium

Stryty is a powerful and effective app for local merchants, cultural centers and institutions. They will have the opportunity to promote their activities in one, user-friendly space and attract customers by showcasing the latest trends, giving away coupons or organizing events. The people, on the other hand, will have a simple, recommendations-based app for their shopping and social experience on Rue Neuve.
Rue Neuve, Brussels, Belgium

Sainte-Catherine-sur-Mer looks back at the history of the area which was a port until the 19th century and was then transformed into a square with a church and covered fish market. The project will provide free boat models, and people of all ages will have the pleasure to sail them in the pond.
Sainte-Catherine, Brussels, Belgium

The project brings the palaver tree, a location for meetings and discussion in many African communities, to the center of Brussels. The urban installation designed by a local artist will open the space to everybody who wants to talk, argue, share a story, hide from the rain, wait for a friend or meet a stranger.
Grand Place. Brussels, Belgium

A living photo exhibition by two local photographers – Daniel Storz (1966) and Vincent Peal (2016) – narrating the history of the area and its people. The photographs come alive through audio stories recorded with the residents and a series of micro-events organized by the community – beer tasting, second-hand shopping and alternative tours of the Marolles.
Marolles, Brussels, Belgium

The world famous chocolate shops, with their dazzling windows, are a vital part of the area. In order to boost their visibility, the project aims to create a new experience by inviting people to taste chocolate while listening to music, making them aware of how their senses interact while enjoying food. This multi-sensory journey will be co-designed between local chocolatiers, musicians, and scientists.
Sablon, Brussels, Belgium

With the idea of rejuvenating the metro stations Annessens and Bourse, artists and artistic collectives will be invited to transform the spaces with their creative expression. The stations will become more welcoming to the passengers and will showcase new technologies and art mediums in tune with the surrounding area filled with gay bars, trendy boutiques, and exotic restaurants.
Saint-Jacques, Brussels, Belgium