MolenWest: containers arrive

An important step in the preparations for the MolenWest temporary occupation, coordinated by the Urban Development Corporation (SAU) in conjunction with the municipality of Molenbeek, took place today.

The containers that will host various local organisations’ activities have been put in place on the land owned by the Region just next to the Gare de l’Ouest railway station, which the SAU started developing in early March.

It will be recalled that the MolenWest project involves the creation of spaces for sports activities, containers converted for fun and creative activities run by local organisations for youngsters and a fablab accessible to local residents. This new temporary occupation, initiated by the SAU and the municipality of Molenbeek, will take place on a site owned by the Region, on the edge of brownfield railway land belonging to SNCB and Infrabel.

The 4,500 m2 site is located at the corner of Chaussée de Ninove and Rue Alphonse Vandenpeereboom. The Region is currently working out how it will be used permanently in the future. Meanwhile, for a period currently planned to last three years, the SAU and the municipality of Molenbeek have cooperated to make a temporary occupation project possible there. The aim is to provide a response to the needs of the local area surrounding this key public transport hub. It has been decided to create temporary spaces where locally active non-profit organisations can carry out their activities, on the basis of the ‘Autour du Parc de l'Ouest’ Sustainable District Contract programme and the diagnosis of the ‘Gare de l'Ouest’ Urban Regeneration Contract (CRU 3).