Trees First - The Public Spaces of the Forest-City

Teaching staff.
Supervisor: Jana Crepon, Mirjam Koevoet, Wibke Klemm

Students.
Authors: Jean-François Gauthier

Let’s focus on trees in the city and their needs as a starting point for a better design of public space. Let’s look at Brussels as a potential forest territory and let’s establish new public space typologies around tree communities. Forest succession will bring a new temporality in the densely populated Belgium capital. “Trees First” is a research on trees in the city and their needs as a starting point for a better design of public space. New ecological knowledge on forests and their underground social network forms the basis of the proposed urban forest. The design explores various public spaces in the very centre of Brussels that will be connected to each other through the underground system of tree roots. A hidden water system, artificial topography and remains of the initial Brussels valley define a potential forest territory. Different urban situations and very contrasted forest habitats can be found within the perimeter of our project area: the Boulevard Anspach and its surroundings. Four main forest typologies are defined: the Canyon Forest Boulevard, the Hill Forest Square, the Wetland Forest Park and the Mountain Forest Towers. A green network is built around these forest typologies thanks to soil continuity and permeability. New urban programs can be developed around them. A set of design rules is defined from these case studies, exploring key urban habitats, tree communities, succession strategies. Brussels will receive great benefits in return in terms of ecosystem services and urban forests will contribute to public health and climate change adaptation.