Projects of the 2014-2020 ERDF Programme

USquare.brussels inter-university

The Usquare.brussels project is an ambitious conversion of the former Fritz Toussaint gendarmerie barracks in Ixelles into a Cité internationale universitaire / Cité multiculturelle at the heart of Brussels and Europe, in an urban district integrated into its environment. This project aims to meet environmental, social, economic and scientific challenges.

This part of the project, supported by the ERDF, aims to transform six buildings into an inter-university academic centre, designed to house research teams from ULB and VUB working on themes such as sustainable development, innovation, education and participatory research via the ‘Open Lab’ system, which is also open to the general public.

The entire project is based on the principles of the circular economy: reuse of materials, maximum preservation of existing structures, flexible design of new spaces, lighting using a “Light as a Service” model, and furniture made from reused or upcycled materials. The aim is to reduce the site’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while making the most of local resources.

As well as research, Usquare.brussels aims to create a real living neighbourhood, combining housing, public spaces, university and cultural facilities. The conversion of the former riding school into a food market is another example: the site will soon be open to the public, preceded by a temporary occupation phase starting next summer.

The site will be completely transformed into a mixed-use space, connected to the city, looking to the future and focusing on social, environmental and scientific innovation.

The Société d’Aménagement Urbain (SAU) is responsible for managing the development of the site.