2023-07-28 17:00:00
No one will deny it, Brussels is a living city. But at what cost ? This summer, like the last, for the Foire du Midi, the Core and Couleur Café festivals, local residents brought their lament drum beating, without pun intended, in the face of noise pollution. They are now joined by the inhabitants of the Brussels hypercentre, exasperated by the bass of the Plaisirs d’été concerts which take place under their windows (or almost), place De Brouckère. “We are not asking for the tranquility of the countryside”, advance the four Brussels residents gathered in the square where the festivities take place, and who are part of a WhatsApp group bringing together nearly 30. But “there is pressure from the ‘events on the public space which increases exponentially’. In particular, they want proof of this in the redevelopment of Place De Brouckère, which they consider to be “designed for major events”.
The Foire du Midi will benefit from an exemption from noise standards but the sound will be limited to a maximum of 85 dB during the day and 75 dB in the evening.
This is the challenge: “finding the balance between attractiveness and quality of life for the inhabitants of Brussels”, recognizes the cabinet of Delphine Houba (PS), in charge of major events. “And the projects that we subsidize are also challenged on this point.”
Towards a sound dome
”Last Saturday, I opened the windows at the back of the apartment, I had a concert at Place De Brouckère. I opened those at the front, I had another on the Place de la Monnaie”, slips a longtime resident. “And don’t tell me that it’s a generation problem, and that I’m a grumpy old woman. I’m a C12 regular! I like music, but when it is not imposed on me.”
In reality, what surprises (and irritates) these neighbors is the positioning of the baffles, oriented towards the (ex) Continental hotel, whereas they are usually oriented towards the pedestrian area. More generally, it is difficult to position speakers in such a way that no one suffers from them, unless you take inspiration from a few festivals which position the speakers in a circle, which makes it possible to create a “sound dome” while reducing the volume. “It’s a good idea, comments the Houba cabinet. We are investigating this solution, perhaps for next year.”
The law of the loudest (volume)
In short, a lot of frustration is creeping in, in addition to vibrations, in the homes of the inhabitants of Place De Brouckère, who believe that the Brussels-Environment standards (95 dB on average per hour) are either inadequate or flouted, which that the Houba firm contests, and affirms that checks are carried out.
The noise of Brussels causes eight months of life to be lost to its inhabitants
A month before a meeting organized between the City, Brussels Major Events (the public ASBL which manages the event) and some local residents, one of them still wanted to file a complaint. “But the police refused my complaint, they told me that when you decide to come and live in an amusement park, you shouldn’t be surprised.” A revealing little sentence, for the inhabitants. “We forget that there are sick people, babies, students… Normally, a society adapts to the weakest.”
Precisely on this argument, the Houba firm reaffirms its desire “to reclaim public space, to allow culture to come to people by creating spaces for meeting and living together”. A political vision, which the residents do not deny, believing that “the only solution to our problem will be political”.
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