City of Vilvoorde

City of roughly 44 000 inhabitants, situated at the edge of  Brussels-Capitale Region, north of it, along the Brussels–Scheldt Maritime Canal.

Vilvoorde is the first flemish city to join Energy Cities network.

Vilvoorde, has enormous environmental pressures. “This has a lot to do with the mobility problem, the rapid growth of the city and its location in the airport area and on the outskirts of the Capital Region”, says mayor Hans Bonte.

The city reduced the CO2 emissions of its own buildings, cars and public lighting by 11, 14 and 10% respectively between 2011 and 2016. However, much remains to be done to meet the climate targets. Within the framework of the Covenant of Mayors, the city wants to further reduce emissions by 2020 and work toward more renewable energy.

By joining the network, the city also wants to show that it is serious about its ambitious energy and climate policy. At the same time, it can also pass on its own ideas to other cities.

For example, there is a great deal of interest in their ClimateKet. An idea to explain the climate problem in schools in Vilvoorde, raising awareness.

The city has a local long-term vision called “Our Vilvoorde Tomorrow” and energy and climate aspects are integrated in it.

This future plan consists of 4 storylines that the city of Vilvoorde wants to develop and realise together with its inhabitants in the future: Vilvoorde is a ‘city in the landscape’ that uses greenery and space in a sustainable way. Nature provides food, more oxygen and absorbs rainwater. These are all natural advantages that we can enjoy if we reserve enough space for them.

Vilvoorde remains a ‘inhabited city’ where everyone can live in a pleasant way. Because Vilvoorde is a city that is growing, we are investing in new sustainable homes in well-situated locations and with attention to public facilities in the neighbourhood.

Vilvoorde is a ‘connected city’ in which everyone can live and work in easily accessible places. We strive for a balance between accessibility and quality of life in our city.As an ‘active city’, Vilvoorde remains an attractive place for numerous companies and organisations.

By offering opportunities to high-tech, creative and sustainable businesses, we contribute to the creation of local jobs for the low-and high-skilled.In the next years, the challenge for Vilvoorde is to translate this vision into realistic action plans as a guideline for future developments.