The impact of the European Union on real estate in Brussels: between stereotype and underestimate
Notes de la rédaction
This is the press release related to the article from Nicolas Bernard, published on September 8, 2008. Read the article.
Poor architectural quality of the institutional buildings, desertion of areasdevoted entirely to the service sector, rise in housing prices, etc: in terms of real estate, the establishmentof the European Unionin Brussels has generated much criticism. But should it be blamed for everything? Is it the onlydetermining factor in the spectacular rise in real estate prices in recent years?NicolasBernard, legal expert and specialist in the right to housing, attempts to answer these questions in the article published on8 September in Brussels Studies.Firstly, hepoints out the factthat the presence ofEuropean civil servants and their families, as well as the related institutions and organisations,does not only concern the 'European' quarter. The entire city is experiencing the effects of the influx of these peoplein search of housing. A significant number of Europeans are settling onthe outskirts of Brussels. Within Brussels, their presence has direct effects (a rise in housing prices in the neighbourhoods they live in)and indirect effects(in the less prestigious neighbourhoods which other buyers have been forced to turn to). The staff of the European Union and related institutions and organisations have therefore triggereda chain of events in their search for housing.The author then explains the specific nature of the situation in Brussels: the presence of the European institutions in the very heart of the city, coupled with the passiveness of the political authorities facedwith the extremely aggressive speculative strategies developed by the private stakeholders responsible for the construction of buildings,have led to a monofunctionality of the areas concerned, which the competent stakeholders fail to takeresponsibility for, despite their promises.Finally, we must not forget that the presence of the European Union is not the only reason for the rise in housing prices. External causes have also played a part, such as lower interest rates, thelack of public housingand the increase in the population of Brussels.Although we mustacknowledge the role of the European Unionin the rise in real estate prices, this summaryof the situation prompts us to see things from a wider perspective and to focus on the actions which could help those who experience difficulties in finding housing. The public authorities –who make little (if any) use of the means of action at their disposal(taxes on deserted buildings, public management law, requisitionlaw, etc)–are thus reminded of their responsibilities. The author also underlines the factthat rent allowances and regulated rental prices do not exist in Brussels, and that there is an extremely low proportion of public housing.
References
Bernard, Nicolas, “The impact of the European Union on real estate in Brussels: between stereotype and underestimate”, Brussels Studies [Online], General collection, No 21, 9 September 2008. URL: https://journals.openedition.org/brussels/617
Contact
Benjamin Wayens, Senior Editor: bwayens[at]brusselsstudies.be