Like many other cities in Europe, Brussels, following the significant expansion of social housing in the second half of the twentieth century, now faces the challenge of managing the decline of this extensive heritage amid increasing budgetary constraints. In this context, CIVA collaborated with KU Leuven and BMA to organize a series of three talks in 2022, hosted at various locations. This book stands as the culmination of these initiatives.

This book attempts to transcend disciplinary boundaries, encompassing architectural, historical, social, and environmental dimensions. It is largely based on content, projects, and reflections of the last years. In phase with its contents, it avoids the temptation of the tabula rasa and the illusion of original novelty. By curating a diverse array of contributions, visual surveys, improvised talks, student works, and ongoing projects, Real Life Brussels is an invitation to discover a tapestry of concerns and opportunities. it states the intrinsic complexity of the subject, suggesting that no single solution or perspective can fully encapsulate its entirety. The book’s ambition is to encourage an open-ended and collaborative dialogue among architects, scholars, policymakers, and the community. The true value of this book may not lie in providing ready-made solutions, but rather in inspiring stakeholders and observers with open-ended explorations and reflections.