ONLINE BRUSSELS HERITAGE - ONE-DAY SEMINAR - 11/12/2014

A WORD OF WELCOME

It is my pleasure to welcome participants, on behalf of the Regional Public Service and, in particular, Brussels Urban Development, to this one-day seminar on the energy future of Brussels’ buildings.

This seminar arose from an observation that we share with many other conurbations and towns: thermal insulation improvement works have become one of the major issues in projects to renovate and restore existing buildings.

These works are often complicated, the can be documentation complex and varied, and works are sometimes carried without professional advice. There is a real risk of such work damaging the architectural value of buildings and the urban landscape without necessarily achieving the expected results. However, we are responsible for the management of a city that has a heritage character and our duty is to preserve this character- preserve the heritage that we have inherited - while making sure that we do not transform the city into a museum. On the contrary, we must make sure that it will be capable of responding to the challenges and changes that await it - demographic boom, energy dependence, mobility, etc. - without spoiling it. It is a significant challenge.

The energy future of our existing buildings is therefore a crucial issue which concerns the management of the city today as well as its future development. This one-day seminar is just one step lead by the desire to conduct a joint debate on the issue, within Brussels Urban Development on the one hand, and between Brussels Urban Development and Brussels Environment on the other.

We all have to confront these problems and difficulties in our role as public managers and we are obliged to provide solutions to our fellow citizens and advise them in these complex and costly matters.

These solutions must be aimed at reconciling the various issues of sustainable development: energy efficiency; preserving the heritage value of buildings and the urban landscape; economic and social constraints; etc. Let's not bury our heads in the sand; this is a difficult process and the subjects are complex, which is why it is becoming urgent and essential to conduct a joint reflection rather than examining the issues separately. It is also important that this process of reflection involves the experts -the operators in the field- from the energy, environment, architecture, heritage conservation, construction, urban planning and urban sociology sectors. This is why I have been delighted to see so many colleagues from this sectors in attendance.

I hope that points of view will be compared, that knowledge, practices and experience will be shared and that this discussion fuels a joint debate so that we can develop operational policies and tools in future in consultation together.

Before handing over to Mrs Bety Waknine from the Minister-President's office, I would like to thank all the departments from Brussels Urban Development and, in particular, the Monuments and Sites Department (which coordinated this project), Brussels Environment, as well as the Royal Commission of Monuments and Sites (which participated in the preparation of this seminar). I would also like to thank the speakers for having responded to our invitation.

Arlette Verkruyssen

General Director of Brussels Urban Development of the Brussels Regional Public Service

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