Making a Good Move
Brussels’ Minister of Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt discusses how the city is reshaping its streets to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit. Sharing successes and challenges of the Good Move plan, she highlights the need for stable climate policy and socially inclusive green transitions.
Interview with Elke Van den Brandt, elaborated by Alessia Giorgiutti.
POLIS: As Brussels' Minister of Mobility, what key strategies are transforming the city from car-centric to pedestrian- and transit-focused? Which elements of the GOOD MOVE plan have been most impactful, and do you have data illustrating the city's progress?
Elke Van den Brandt,
Saskia Vanderstichele
Elke Van den Brandt: Safety is the foundation of sustainable mobility. When people step outside their doors, they should feel welcome to walk, cycle, sit, and talk to their neighbours. One of the first actions we took to improve safety across Brussels was to change the default speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.
Higher speed limits on specific roads are still possible but now must be justified and marked as exceptions to the rule. This change had an immediate impact on road safety and noise pollution.
Of course, we are rebuilding infrastructure gradually, street by street, but the most important and challenging shift is in people's hearts and minds.
In the theatre, they say you cannot play the king; others must show who the kind is by how they approach him. Pedestrians should be the kings of the streets, and we should see this reflected in the behaviour of cyclists and motorists—driving slowly, manoeuvring carefully, and yielding the right of way. This requires an attitude change. For too long, drivers have thought they were the kings of the road—a silly idea, given how a city functions. An elderly woman should not have to hurry across a zebra crossing to avoid an oncoming; she should walk like a queen.
POLIS: With partial consensus on sustainable mobility, plans like GOOD MOVE still face public resistance and political pushback. How do you balance public concerns with environmental goals, and what role does public consultation play?
Van den Brandt: For many people, change is not easy—especially when it is not their choice, and especially in a world already shifting at an incredible pace. I see a few challenges here. First, consider the issues we are addressing. Environmental goals and societal needs often go hand in hand; take air quality in Brussels, for example: it is worst in densely populated neighbourhoods.
Second, and this is something I have learned the hard way, it is to understand whom people trust. As a Green politician, there are some people I may never convince myself. However, they might trust a community worker, a local politician, or a school principal. So, build conversations based on trust and local knowledge; be clear about your own vision, but remain open to other’s views. Be specific and concrete: talk about benches, tree, and children walking safely to school rather than abstract concepts like induced traffic or modal shift. Stick to your goals but remain flexible with your methods.
Finally, be aware that criticism is inevitable. Consultation is important, but it will never satisfy those who fundamentally disagree. You can listen to them, but you cannot stop the process for them. Others are genuinely counting on you to bring about change.
POLIS: How can we prevent climate and sustainability issues from becoming polarised, especially given the urgent need for action?
Van den Brandt: Building broad coalitions is essential—not just between political parties, but also with civil society, local organisations, activists, and academics. Once the green transition is framed as a culture war, it becomes nearly impossible to build these broad coalitions. Interestingly, though, if you break down big concepts into very specific issues, you gain much broader support.
In Brussels, for example, Good Move has become a cultural symbol due to the fierce opposition. Whether you are for or against Good Move has become a political stance, now almost detached from mobility policies. If you ask people what they mean when they say they want to 'get rid of Good Move,' there are no clear answers.
So, my administration carried out a study to measure support for the principles behind Good Move. It turns out that when the name Good Move Is not mentioned and people are asked about specific policy goals—such as public space redistribution, safer roads, and efficient public transport, even at the cost of parking spaces—the vast majority in Brussels, including a significant majority of car drivers, support the vision.
If we can get past the culture clash, there is plenty of room for measures that will make our streets healthier, safer, and more comfortable for residents.
POLIS: You have emphasised the importance of social inclusion in urban planning. How do you envision the integration of social equity in the mobility strategies outlined in Good Move, and what metrics do you use to measure success? How do we make sure the green transition does not disproportionately impact the most vulnerable groups in society?
Van den Brandt: But I want to have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable groups: a positive one! The ideal transition combines decarbonisation with social progress. In many cases (though not all), it is possible to improve people's freedom of mobility while reducing their dependence on cars.
One of my favourite projects in Brussels is called Vélo Solidaire: adult residents who never learned to cycle are provided with a quality bike, receive lessons on cycling and bike maintenance, and learn to ride in groups. Vélo solidaire is open to all Brussels residents but, as it turns out, it is mostly women who participate. I have heard them say how this program boosted their confidence in taking their children to school and opened up the city to them, as they can now go wherever they want.
Another key component of a just green transition is public transport. The STIB is the backbone of mobility in Brussels. It has to be affordable, accessible to everyone, and reliable. I am proud that we have been able to expand STIB's services by 15% over the past 5 years.
POLIS: The Brussels Capital-Region aims at a 47 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality for the region by 2050. With 2030 fast approaching, where does Brussels stand in its path towards climate neutrality?
Van den Brandt: We are at a crossroads. In the coming months, a new government will have to be formed in Brussels, in a challenging budgetary context. I will be fighting to preserve the ‘Air, Climate and Energy Plan’ designed by my colleague Alain Maron and adopted a year ago, which sets ambitious yet achievable targets. However, not every political party at the table agrees.
It is going to be an uphill battle to maintain the pace of the green transition, but we are lucky to have extensive know-how and experience in renovation, mobility, and economic transition. Additionally, a thriving network of academics, organisations, and citizens who helped shape the plan will be crucial in keeping us on track.
POLIS: Climate goals are often threatened by economic pressures, especially from industries like automotive. How can we balance economic growth with ecological responsibility, ensuring that both thrive together?
Van den Brandt: My colleague Barbara Trachte introduced the doughnut model in Brussels to support our local economy’s transition. I see many companies more than ready to move toward a carbon-neutral society. What they need from climate policy is stability and predictability. What we absolutely do not need is a stop-and-go policy, and I am worried that some political parties do not understand the need to act now—or risk greater losses later.
POLIS: Moreover, has transport represented more of a barrier or a facilitator of climate neutrality in Brussels?
Van den Brandt: It is a facilitator. After all, changing mobility habits and transport infrastructure can be achieved faster than renovating tens of thousands of homes or overhauling our energy grid. Zooming out, the trend is clear: walking has overtaken driving as the most common mode of transport compared to ten years ago, cycling rates in Brussels are growing at an incredible pace, and (car-)sharing schemes are flourishing. Modal shift is like quitting smoking: it may be hard at first, requiring a change in habits, but in the end, you will breathe easier and healthier.
People driving bikes and monowheels at Car free Sunday, an initiative within the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, Werner Lerooy
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About the contributors:
Interviewee: Elke Van den Brandt, Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety & Member of Party Brussels Capital-Region & Dutch-speaking Belgian Green party (Groen). Born in Antwerp, Van den Brandt moved to Brussels, the city of her heart and her choice. She was an activist as a student, did research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, worked on social policy and health care in the Flemish Parliament and since 2019 has been Brussels’ Minister for Mobility. She is married and has two kids and a cat.
Interviewer: Alessia Giorgiutti, Communications & Membership Lead & Co-Coordinator Just Transition, Giorgiutti coordinates POLIS' corporate communications and magazine and has been involved in several EU-funded projects as a Communications Manager. She currently supports other managers and officers on tasks related to content production and communication for their projects. Her work focuses on making accessible and inclusive content about transport, as well as highlighting the experiences of marginalised users.
Van den Brandt cycling with other political leaders during the POLIS Political Group (Winter 2022)