SmartMove meets an urgent need. Because heavy traffic causes more than only traffic jams: it also has an impact on health, the economy and the environment. In short, on the liveability of the entire Brussels region.
As you know, Belgium has three regions: the Flemish Region (Flanders), the Walloon Region (Wallonia) and the Brussels-Capital Region. They each have a parliament and a government.
Find out more about the composition of the Brussels government here.
Each region is responsible for "land-related matters" such as the environment, spatial planning, housing, mobility, infrastructure, the economy and employment. Within the Brussels-Capital Region, mobility is therefore the responsibility of the Brussels government.
The Brussels region comprises 19 municipalities: the city of Brussels, Anderlecht, Ixelles, Etterbeek, Evere, Ganshoren, Jette, Koekelberg, Auderghem, Schaerbeek, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Saint-Gilles, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Uccle, Forest and Watermael-Boitsfort (to be complete: Laeken, Haren and Neder-Over-Heembeek are quarters within the city of Brussels).
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The city that the Brussels government envisions is one that is more liveable, healthier and more prosperous for those who live and work there, and for all who visit. Better mobility plays a crucial role in this. That is why we urgently need to do something about the traffic jams.
With SmartMove we tackle the traffic problem in three ways:
Introduction of an intelligent kilometre charge
A wide range of quality mobility alternatives
For the people of Brussels: a new road tax system that taxes car use instead of car ownership
The Brussels government is using every means at its disposal to improve the situation. Taxation is an important policy instrument.
The Brussels region resolutely opts for a new traffic taxation that is no longer based on car ownership, but on car use.
What makes this kilometre charge intelligent is that it takes into account three variables: time of day, distance and engine power.
By calculating the charge based on the actual use of your car, you have all the elements to determine how much you pay: time, distance and engine power.
The Brussels government has set itself some ambitious targets for 2030. Specifically?
single occupant car trips
time wasted in traffic
kilometres driven by car during rush hour
kilometres on foot and by bike
CO2 emissions from cars
bus capacity
By putting numbers first, we can measure our progress. Although the gain in quality of life is priceless. Both for Brussels residents and visitors.
The SmartMove project was given concrete expression and approved by the Brussels government on 3 December 2020. This decision is the basis for consultation with the various regions.