The projects of the Urban Policy Programme at Schaerbeek are all located in the Objective II area defined by the European authorities.

The development of the districts equates to five investment projects: the conversion of the Tamines buildings (meeting rooms and sports area), the renovation of the Dailly hall (multi-purpose hall), security lighting at the Place de la Reine, the construction of a Women's Centre and also of a new sports ground at Parc Rasquinet.

With regard to social cohesion, the municipality is concentrating its efforts on the integration of recent immigrants and the reintegration of ex-prisoners.
Around 3,000 people of foreign nationality are registered each year on the population registers. A committee is responsible for their reception;  it draws up a quick and accurate assessment of their needs and encourages them to adopt a positive attitude towards integration. Language and citizenship courses are given by the non profit association Harmonisation sociale schaerbeekoise.
The purpose of the Network for Prevention of Subsequent Offences (Réseau de Prévention à la Récidive (RePR)) is to support the reinsertion of ex-prisoners, in particular in the areas of employment and housing.

In relation to the environment, a single project groups together the initiatives financed by the Urban Policy Programme over several years. From now on, the public areas service coordinates the work of four teams: cleaning operatives, park wardens, urgent district maintenance (repairs to street furniture) and the Youth service Schaerbeekoise au Travail (pavement maintenance). The objective is to improve the synergies between these services, combat the deterioration of public areas and improve the population’s awareness regarding the environment.

Finally, let us mention Schaerbeek’s support for the local economy.
Maxinet is a local service intended for individuals. Implemented by the local job centre, it is based on the Federal system of service vouchers and allows the creation of jobs in the context of activities such as cleaning or ironing at home.
As for the Guichet de l’Economie Locale (GELS), it informs and advises anyone, even without work, wishing to become self-employed in the municipality.

The city contract is supported by the municipal services in particular and sometimes also by associations.  It is the coordination which ensures communication between all these partners.

In some cases, the proactive approach of the municipal authority must be emphasised. For example, to encourage the insertion of recent immigrants or the reinsertion of ex-prisoners, the municipality has chosen to support them rather than one day paying the cost of their exclusion.

Coordination Urban Policy programme
Hôtel de Ville, Place Colignon
1030 Schaarbeek
Leopoldina Caccia-Dominioni (Coordinator), tel. +32 (0)2 244.72.28

//2005

case

Urban Policy

Security & crime prevention, Housing, Social inclusion & integration