Voisins du parc, Municipalité de Jette, Bruxelles

CIVIS - BIP - CASE STUDY 2

VOISINS DU PARC JETTE MUNICIPALITY CO-CREATING AND CO-PRODUCTING RAINWATER MANAGEMENT TOOLS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF PARTICIPATIVE DEMOCRACY

MADE BY: ROBERTO ARGUIS, NICOLAS BADURA, ANGELA GORGOGLIONE, EKATERINA SEREDNIAKOVA, ANA TODORAN

Territory concerned Municipality of Jette in the alluvial valley of Molenbeek river.

The project concerns the neighborhood of the Parc de Roi Baudoin.

The project aims to create a rainwater garden to decrease a storm water discharge in the private own area of an inhabitant's garden.

Table of contents 1

The origins of the project: why, who, when, what, where

2

How it works (from scientific to social)

3

Democratic aspects of this kind of project

4

Conclusion

Overarching research questions - How can we shape a more just, democratic and ecological city ?

- How can we go beyond including citizens in decision making process to empowering them ?

- What roles can "co-creation" and "co-production"play ?

The origins of the project Why? To ensure the flooding problems

Who?

When?

Brusseau Bis - as an expert Sébastien, citizens & municipality Brussels Environnement - as investor

What?

co-creation and co-production of private own rainwater infiltration garden

2021-2023

Where?

The neighborhood of the Parc Roi Baudoin

How it works ?

1 | Creation of the

Brusseau Bis project

of the 5 | Construction garden by Brusseau

setting-up of roundtables 3 | The for the citizens which were

becomes an 7 | Sebastien ambassador of the project

interested in going further

the 4 | "Co-designing" rainwater garden with of the project with a 2 | Introduction walk organized by Brusseau for the citizens of the neighbourhood to sensibilize about rainwater issues

Brusseau and Sebastien

of the 6 | Monitoring garden by Sebastien

Model of a rainwater garden 2|

Hardy, local plants with deep roots soak up some of the water runoff

1| 3|

Berm around the perimeter of the garden keeps water in place during heavy rains

4|

Well-draining mix of topsoil, sand and compost filters the remaining water and releases it into the native soil

Runoff from impervious surfaces flows to the raingarden or retention basin

Sebastien's garden

human practicies area wet practicies area

Democratic aspects of the project A

Key words of the process - deliberation - engagement - negotiation - choice - trust-building

B

S A - administration B - Brusseau Bis S - Sebastien

Conclusion

Inhabitants (Sebastien personally) are involved in the project not for individual interests but also for the community and surroundings, and it's a good way to realise that the project goes beyond the actions of an individual.

Although the project has participative democratic intentions there are inevitable social and political boundaries regarding the roles that actors play in it.

Co-creation and co-production in this particular case allow to encourage citizens initiative through participative democracy.

Brusseau Bis playing a role of facilitator between the administration citizens transferred this role to Sebastien. It's about the multiplication and share of facilitator's role in participative democratic practicies.