In the Cureghem district of Anderlecht, a long-abandoned municipal plot has been transformed into a new living space. In October 2025, 15 households moved into the Transvaal Project, the latest project led by Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB).
The project
The CLTB project aims to be part of the overall redevelopment vision set out in the Canal-Midi district contract, which includes the renovation of Le Bocage nursery, a sports facility and the green promenade.
The Transvaal project comprises 15 one- to four-bedroom homes, including one flat adapted for people with reduced mobility. On the ground floor is a space dedicated to community life. The municipal non-profit organisation FEFA has set up its offices there, directly connected to the football pitches adjacent to the Transvaal project. Through sports and academic support, the association promotes personal development, integration and solidarity among young people in the district.
Particular attention has been paid to the user-friendliness and quality of the communal areas. Residents enjoy a 133 m² communal garden, a 78m² shared terrace and outdoor walkways designed as meeting places. The alleyway connecting the football pitch to the building is soon to be converted into a public road and opens up the block to the district.
Housing that is always affordable
The 15 housing units in the Transvaal project are owned by Community Land Trust Brussels. The CLTB principle is that low-income households in Brussels purchase the bricks, while Community Land Trust Brussels remains the owner of the land, which helps to reduce acquisition costs. If the property is resold, the price is capped so that it remains affordable for generations to come.
A participatory process
All residents in a CLTB project receive both individual and collective support during the two years prior to moving in and the following two years. CLTB worked with Ciré to provide support to Transvaal residents.
Between obtaining planning permission and the completion of the work, residents prepared to manage their co-ownership, considered their energy consumption and drafted a charter listing the common values shared by the different households. Support will continue for the next two years.
A sustainable project
The project is also remarkable for its sustainable approach: rational use of resources, choice of easy-to-maintain materials, reduced footprint to prioritise the garden and strict adherence to the budget.
This is also the first time that Community Land Trust Brussels has collaborated with the Brupower cooperative, which installed solar panels on the building’s roof.
Project Manager: Community Land Trust Brussels.
Architects: PTArchitecten bvba. Competition jointly led by the Bouwmeester Master Architect (BMA).
Contractor: Gillion.
