The Brussels-Capital Region launched its ambitious Brussels Mobility Plan, known as Good Move, in 2020. The plan aims to reduce car traffic by 24% by 2030, reallocate street space to pedestrians and cyclists, and improve public transport. It is a key pillar of the region’s climate strategy and aligns with the EU Green Deal urban objectives.

Background and Objectives

Good Move replaces the previous regional mobility plan from 1998. The new plan was developed after extensive public consultation involving 15,000 residents, 60 municipalities, and 120 stakeholder organizations. Its main goals are:

  • Reduce car traffic by 24% inside the Pentagon (the historic centre) and by 14% region-wide by 2030.
  • Increase walking, cycling, and public transport mode share to 70% of all trips.
  • Improve air quality by cutting nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels by 40%.
  • Enhance road safety with a target of zero traffic fatalities by 2050 (Vision Zero).

The plan is structured around three pillars: Calmer Traffic, More Space for People, and Better Public Transport. It introduces circulation plans for each of the 19 municipalities, creating local traffic loops that discourage through-traffic while maintaining access for residents and deliveries.

Key Measures

Pentagon Circulation Plan

The most visible and controversial measure is the Pentagon circulation plan, implemented in August 2022. It divides the historic centre into two zones: a northern zone (Zone Nord) and a southern zone (Zone Sud). Through-traffic between the two zones is blocked, forcing drivers to use the inner ring road (Petite Ceinture). The plan also created a network of one-way streets and pedestrian priority zones around the Grand Place and Rue Neuve. According to Brussels Mobility, car traffic inside the Pentagon dropped by 36% in the first year, while cycling increased by 38%.

Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

The Brussels Low Emission Zone, first introduced in 2018, is being progressively tightened. As of 2023, diesel cars with Euro 5 or lower are banned, and petrol cars with Euro 2 or lower are also restricted. The next step (2025) will ban all diesel cars except Euro 6d-temp and Euro 6d. The LEZ covers the entire region (161 km²) and is enforced by automatic number plate recognition cameras. Fines start at €50 for motorcycles and €150 for cars, increasing to €350 for repeated offences.

Cycling Infrastructure

The plan allocates €500 million over 10 years for cycling infrastructure. Key projects include the RER Vélo (regional express bike network) of 700 km of high-quality cycle paths, and the Bike Highway (Fietssnelweg) connecting Brussels to Flemish suburbs. As of 2024, Brussels has 450 km of cycle paths, with 100 km added since 2020. The region also subsidizes e-bike purchases (up to €200) and runs a public bike-sharing system, Villo!, with 5,000 bikes at 360 stations.

Public Transport Improvements

The plan includes expanding the Brussels Metro with a new line (Line 3) connecting the north (Bordet) to the south (Albert). The €3.5 billion project is scheduled for completion by 2032. Meanwhile, bus and tram networks are being restructured: the STIB-MIVB added 30 km of new tram tracks in the last five years, and 200 new electric buses are being deployed. The plan also promotes Mobility as a Service (MaaS) through a single app, MaaS.brussels, that integrates public transport, shared bikes, scooters, and car-sharing.

Impact on Residents and Businesses

The mobility plan has sparked both support and opposition. Residents in the Pentagon report quieter streets and better air quality, but some businesses on the Rue Neuve complain about reduced footfall from car-borne shoppers. A 2023 survey by the Brussels Chamber of Commerce found that 55% of businesses in the city centre reported a negative impact on sales, while 45% saw no change or a positive effect. The regional government set up a €5 million compensation fund for affected businesses, offering grants up to €15,000 for adaptation measures (e.g., delivery consolidation, terrace expansions).

For residents, the plan includes residential parking permits that limit on-street parking. In the Pentagon, non-resident parking was reduced by 1,200 spaces. The region also introduced a parking levy for company parking spaces (€100 per space per year) to discourage commuter driving.

Criticism and Challenges

Critics argue that the plan was implemented too quickly without sufficient consultation or traffic modelling. The Brussels Mobility Minister, Elke Van den Brandt (Groen), has faced protests from car commuters and some municipalities. A 2022 report by the Brussels Court of Auditors found that the region lacked a comprehensive monitoring system to evaluate the plan's effects. In response, the government launched a real-time traffic dashboard in 2023, showing air quality, traffic volumes, and modal share data.

Another challenge is the ring road congestion. The Petite Ceinture (inner ring) and the R0 (outer ring) have seen increased traffic as drivers avoid the Pentagon. Average speeds on the R0 dropped to 35 km/h during peak hours in 2023. The region is studying a ring road toll (péage urbain) for 2026, but no final decision has been made.

The plan also intersects with tactical urbanism initiatives, such as the temporary pedestrianization of the Boulevard Anspach and the creation of school streets (car-free zones outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times). These low-cost, quick interventions have been praised by urbanists but criticized for lacking long-term planning.

Connection to Broader Urban Policies

The Brussels Mobility Plan is part of a wider set of policies aimed at making the city more sustainable and livable. It complements the Green Roofs Policy, which mandates green roofs on all new buildings larger than 100 m², and the 15-minute city concept, which aims to ensure all residents can access daily needs within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. The region is also investing in flood-resilient design as part of its climate adaptation strategy, with €100 million allocated for rainwater management and green-blue infrastructure.

At the European level, Brussels is a pilot city for the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, which provides funding and technical support for the mobility transition. The region has already secured €50 million from the European Investment Bank for electric bus charging infrastructure.

What’s Next?

In 2024, the focus is on extending circulation plans to all municipalities. The municipalities of Saint-Gilles, Forest, and Ixelles are implementing their own local plans, with traffic loops and one-way streets. The region also plans to introduce a company mobility budget in 2025, allowing employees to choose between a company car, a public transport pass, or a cash alternative.

For visitors attending events like the Urban Summit Brussels, the mobility plan means that driving into the city centre is increasingly discouraged. The summit organizers recommend using public transport, cycling, or walking. The summit venue, Tour & Taxis, is well-served by tram lines 51 and 82, and the new Brussels-Central station is a 15-minute walk.

To stay updated, residents can consult the Good Move website (goodmove.brussels) or attend local consultation meetings. The next major milestone is the evaluation of the Pentagon plan in 2025, which will inform adjustments for other zones.

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