Les Marolles: the voice of modest housing

If the Marolles constitute the historical and symbolic anchor of Brussels urban struggles, they also refer to the history of ARAU and to an emblematic figure, protagonist of these struggles, the parish priest of the Marolles, Jacques Van der Biest (one of the founders of the association). The battle of the Marolles is a popular story, with a happy ending: that of the preservation of housing and modest residents in a central neighborhood that managed to defeat real estate development and public redevelopment schemes. But History is never truly over and is always a bit more complex! This working-class and commercial neighborhood has historically made way for embellishment programs and hygienist operations and, since the beginning of the 20th century, has welcomed various remarkable facilities and social housing complexes. The latter, from the Art Nouveau composition of the Cité sociale Hellemans (1915) to the Minimes complex, below the imposing Palais de Justice, cover very different typologies. Today, the housing blocks dating from the 1970s-80s are also the subject of renovation, with challenges regarding better integration into the urban fabric as well as adaptation to comfort and energy performance requirements. In addition, revitalization policies are still topical and divide opinion regarding the destination of space usage and public funds! Residents, committees, and associations have constantly made their voices heard so that public and private projects meet the needs of the residents and respect the identity of the neighborhood.