Anderlecht: Author Lize Spit and local residents collaborated to plant six new trees in Luchtvaartsquare, garnering support from community members and officials to enhance the area’s greenery.
According to VRT News, Lize Spit, recognized for her acclaimed book Het Smelt and its film adaptation, spearheaded a project aimed at revitalizing her neighborhood in Anderlecht. She engaged with residents to foster a collaborative effort in greening their surroundings.
To stimulate ideas and encourage community involvement, Spit placed posters soliciting suggestions for increasing greenery in the area. The initiative drew substantial interest, leading residents to rally around the cause. Together, they successfully planted six trees along their street.
“I wanted to be sure the plan was supported by the neighborhood,” Spit remarked.
The author emphasized the importance of community backing.
“If, for example, the businesses aren’t on board, it’s already difficult. Fortunately, the town hall was packed with interested parties during the first meeting.”
Community Engagement in Greening Luchtvaartsquare
Residents, including Spit, actively sought ways to increase greenery in their neighborhood, leading to discussions and the collective decision to plant the six trees.
The community engagement allowed for diverse input, culminating in a consensus on the tree initiative. With strong backing from local residents, the plan received approval from municipal authorities, including the mayor and local councilors.
Spit expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, noting that planting trees fosters community ties and reflects a shared desire for a better environment. She emphasized that enhancing the neighborhood’s greenery does not require significant financial resources if residents unite to contribute.
In Brussels’ Saint-Gilles neighborhood, a similar grassroots effort emerged, where residents collaborated to plant trees and establish small green spaces. These initiatives involved community meetings to discuss ideas and secured approval from the city council, highlighting a broader movement towards greener urban spaces across Brussels.
, reports 24brussels.
