Residents in the Brussels borough of Elsene are coming to terms with the new situation in their street: ‘I no longer have any daylight in my flat and I can hardly get out of the front door,’ says Hachida Arif, one of the residents. The municipality is looking for a solution.
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Elsene residents face no more daylight and 3-storeys of containers right in front of their home
Colin Clapson
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In Elsene (Brussels), the former Rabelais atheneum is being renovated: a new school is being opened as well as a nursery. Housing too is planned. As a result of the renovation work, three-storeys of containers were placed in the street early last week. Some of the containers are straight in front of houses in Jules Bouillonstraat.
Resident Hachida Arif is heartbroken. ‘I am disabled. Not only do I now have no daylight in my flat, I can barely reach the front door. The passageway is very narrow. Last night, someone had to move the rubbish bags because I couldn't pass by with my mobility scooter.’
‘The placing of the containers doesn’t meet the conditions approved by the municipality,’ responds alderman for Urban Renewal Nevruz Unal. ‘A better location is being sought and all options are now being considered.’ The containers will be moved as soon as possible, ‘but procedures have to be followed’ said the Francophone socialist politician.