Ecological corridor being strengthened in Brussels Capital Region

The Brussels Capital Region (Belgium) is strengthening the ecological corridor in the region through the development of a green and blue ecological network.

To ensure a more even distribution of green nature areas and to strengthen the ecological corridor between these areas, a Regional Development Plan was drawn to gradually develop a green and blue ecological network around Brussels.

The green network connects the green areas as a ring around the urban area, and the blue network aims to improve the ecological conditions of the rivers and associated wetlands.

In the Brussels Capital Region, most of the open areas are found in the outer suburbs and residential areas.  Nevertheless, compared to other capital cities across Europe, Brussels is still considered a relatively green city.  The Region has 13 natural reserves and two forest reserves; the status of natural reserve allowing for better protection and management.

The Brussels Capital Region has recently designated 14 percent of the territory as Natura 2000 under the European Habitats Directive, to help conserve rare species and habitats of European Union (EU) importance, such as the stag beetle, several bat species, and important forest and wetland biotopes.

The Natura 2000 Network is a Europe-wide ecological network of protected sites.  Every EU country has designated Natura 2000 sites to help conserve rare habitats and species present in their territory.  There are over 18,000 sites in the Network so far.  In total, they cover a substantial area:  almost a fifth of Europe’s land and water – equivalent to the size of Germany and Italy put together.

Because local government is tasked with service provision and ensuring that social and economic development needs within the carrying capacity of the biological resource base, local government is an important manager of global biodiversity. ICLEI has established the Local Action for Biodiversity (LAB) project to explore the best ways for local governments to engage in effective biodiversity protection, utilization and management. For more information on LAB, please visit www.iclei.org/biodiversity.

Brussels Capital Region is one of 167 local governments in Europe that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Europe, please visit www.iclei.org/europe.

Source:  Biodiversity and Natura 2000 Reserve in Urban Areas:  Nature in Cities across Europe – A Review of Key Issues and Experiences.  Bruxelles Environnement – IBGE/Leefmilieu Brussel BIM, December 2006.