A boost for the economy
Fewer traffic jams means time savings for the self-employed and businesses. But the positive effects of SmartMove go far beyond that. Because both working and doing business in Brussels will become much more attractive.
The situation today
Brussels accounts for 16% of our employment
- The Brussels region is the centre of Belgian economic activity.
- In 2018, the Brussels region accounted for 741,184 jobs, or 16% of employment in Belgium.*
- About half of the jobs in Brussels (48.4%) are filled by commuters from Flanders (64%) and Wallonia (36%).*
*Impact study Transport & Mobility Leuven, 2020
Up to €1.7 billion economic loss due to traffic jams
- In Brussels, the average daily time lost in traffic jams is up to 45 minutes per driver.*
- According to the OECD, this corresponds to an economic loss of 1 to 2% of Belgium’s gross domestic product.
- For the Brussels region, this means between €850 million and €1.7 billion in losses per year.
*Impact study Transport & Mobility Leuven, 2020
Accessibility and location policy
- The structural congestion problem is a negative factor when choosing a new location for companies or a new job for employees.
- Smoother traffic and better accessibility can positively influence these choices, along with other factors.
- Mobility is at the top of the list of problems requiring a solution within the Brussels Capital Region for 75% of Brussels entrepreneurs.
SmartMove revitalises the economy
Companies are easier to reach
Reducing traffic jams makes companies more accessible for employees as well as customers and suppliers.
More customers per day
- Shorter travel time means being able to serve more customers.
- This translates into higher profitability for service providers, courier companies and suppliers.
Fitter at work
- Less time lost on the road saves employees a lot of stress and frustration. And the negative effects on health of this.
- Due to the improved infrastructure, more and more commuters switch to active means of transport such as bicycles, with positive health effects.
- Better health translates into less sick leave and lower costs for dealing with it.
Snowball effect
A high concentration of economic activity offers many additional advantages. Economists speak of an “agglomeration” or snowball effect. This is particularly true of Brussels.
- Economic hubs, such as we have in Brussels, are an ideal market for additional service providers, such as IT services, consultants and freelancers with specific expertise.
- The availability of highly educated talent thanks to Brussels’ universities and colleges, and of specialised profiles and services, in turn, increases the productivity and innovation rate of businesses.
- In addition to the public sector and the service sector, Brussels is home to many businesses specialising in information technology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals. Sectors with strong growth.
An attractive labour market
- This creates an attractive labour market for highly educated graduates.
- Vacancies for people with specialised profiles are also filled more easily.
More jobs, more prosperity
- Businesses produce additional activity: think of parcel services, maintenance crews, security, catering, and so on.
- More companies, more jobs. Also for Brussels citizens.
- More people in work, more disposable income, more prosperity.
- More prosperity, more money available for investment.
National welfare effect
The economic welfare effect of SmartMove will also be felt outside the Brussels region. For the whole of Belgium, this could amount to as much as €54.1 million per year, according to specialists.*
*Impact study Transport & Mobility Leuven, 2020
Health benefits for Brussels
What you don’t need to spend is also profit. Specifically for Brussels:
- €10.6 million less accident costs per year.
- €11.4 million in health dividend (through more exercise, less disease and less healthcare spending).*
- €9.8 million in emission benefits from reduced emissions.*
