Presentation

Introduction

The AGORA design consultancy was founded in 1992, and operates mainly in Brussels and Wallonia in response to requirements for expertise in land use and spatial design.

AGORA is a consultancy experienced in the fields of planning, environment, mobility and public spaces, and carries out consultancy and assistance assignments in these various areas of competence.

 AGORA operates in the field of territorial planning and local or regional development through the following actions:

• drawing-up territorial diagnostics;
• promoting the social and cultural dimensions of development;
• defining development guidelines and strategies;
• formulating action plans and implementation strategies;
• accompanying and evaluating development projects;
• making significant contributions to the development of this field of professional action (creativity and innovation).

From the legal viewpoint, these actions are based essentially on the Planning Codes (CWATUP Wallonia– COBAT Brussels).

Another specific approach is the development of rural or urban areas where heritage becomes a given in the rehabilitation of urban spaces (concept of re-appropriation and culturalist paradigm). In this case, town planners manage operations of urban renewal and revitalization, clean up brownfield sites (S.A.E.D) and sites of regional interest (ZIR) as well as special initiative zones (ZIP).

 In the field of the environment, in particular in the context of obtaining an environmental licence and/or planning permission, certain projects are subject to an impact analysis. This study is carried out to provide the various bodies concerned (regional administrations, local authorities and local residents, etc.) with an independent analysis of the impact of the project on its natural and human environment.

Following the evaluation of the impact on the environment (particularly on the quality of air, water and soil, the sound environment, the natural heritage, in terms of mobility and energy consumption, etc.) as well as the impact on town planning, heritage and socio-economic impact, the study proposes measures aimed at harmonious integration of the project into its natural and human environment.

In this way, the impact analysis enables the potential nuisance of the project under consideration to be prevented or minimised. Moreover, the applicant for licensing or planning permission benefits from the procedure: by taking account of the recommendations of the study, the applicant can enhance its public image and on certain occasions, reduce operating costs.

Agora is approved for impact studies:

• in the Brussels Capital Region. The environmental impact evaluation system there is governed by the order of 30 July 1992 relative to prior impact evaluation and incorporated into chapters II and III of the order of 5 June 1997 relating to environmental licensing (and into the organic order of 29 August 1991 on town and country planning);
  
  
• in the Walloon Region for categories 1 “Land use, town planning, business activities and leisure” and 2 “infrastructure, transport and communication projects”.

 AGORA approaches the issue of mobility via various complementary aspects:

• from the sustainable mobility viewpoint (economically, socially and from the environmental aspect) taking account of all modes of travel and all uses of public space.
  
  
• the inclusion of related disciplines in the equation: town and country planning, the environment and public open spaces as required. Likewise, for studies carried out by our consultancy in these disciplines, mobility is incorporated into the process of reflection.
  
  
• working on every geographical scale, from the street to the Region; in a single study, the change of scale allows the reflection to be put in perspective.
  
  
• an essentially qualitative approach, but which does not underestimate the contribution of quantitative data. These are placed in their context and their limitations are taken into account.
  
  
• although Agora deals more with the mobility of persons, the transport of goods is not ignored (deliveries, parking, heavy goods vehicle routes, etc.).

 Public space plays a preponderant role in the dynamic of modern cities, whether it takes the form of highways, squares or green open space, it is an essential aspect of territorial processes.
The design study brings players from different backgrounds into contact, and encourages a large number of discussions (discussions which also define the public space). Should it be designed according to criteria of contemporary aesthetics or be laid out in a convenient an practical way for users?

AGORA is aware that the balance of planning of public space results from the subtle and difficult combination between the image that we have of it and want to impart to it, and the use that we make of it and want to make of it in future.

Its multi-disciplinary team consists of around thirty specialists from various backgrounds: town planners, engineers, geographers, architects, landscape architects as well as technicians, computer graphics designers, etc., who share a common interest in planning and enhancing our living surroundings.