Inauguration of a participatory work in Molenbeek

This Friday, I had the pleasure of participating in the inauguration of the art work ' open a workbook in the sky "space Machtens in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. The creation of this work was made possible through the program the 101e % ! This program initiated by the region of Brussels (BRS) Housing Society provides an artist, selected by a jury, the possibility of integrating an original work of art in a social housing site.Each company can participate. The ' 101% ' is funded through the investment of quadrennial plans region offers social housing companies to renew their stock of housing. In fact, for many of these homes, it is necessary work of major renovation work. For the last four years of the plan 2010-2013, at least 206 million € were involved in the Brussels region. As a result of significant efforts during this parliamentary term and a profound reorganization of the sector, net acceleration in the use of budgetary resources committed by the region met to renovate public housing Brussels. Therefore, we find ourselves with quantities actually used for the construction of sites almost doubled during the past four years. An average of 28 million per year between 2004 and 2009, was between 2009 and 2013 at an average of 50 million.This type of initiative is the ideal opportunity to discuss social housing with a different look. For more than four years that I am in charge of housing, I have seen that some shots, some ideas received on social housing has a hard life. However, the fact that public housing tenants have incomes below rather than persons of lesser value. It is necessary to abandon the misconceptions about social housing. In recent years, I had the pleasure to inaugurate several construction projects and reforms in the outstanding architectural qualities that return to the inhabitants and the District of a non-negligible pride. Be sure to improve approaches to social housing also participates in this goal of breaking the stereotypes that surround social housing thanks to the participation of the inhabitants themselves.In particular, 1% of the total budget is dedicated to finance the integration of artistic projects in social housing. It is therefore an additional investment for an important project which mixes artists, social tenants and housing companies.Thus, the concept "101%" is based on three fundamental issues:First of all, you can issue a social. The principle is to help social housing residents to escape from their daily lives and to participate in a positive project to improve its environment. Therefore, this approach enables best property in your neighborhood, the space alive and open to his "neighbor". Embracing the communication...Then, this concept has an urbanlook. The presence of an artist who promotes contact between the inhabitants, their participation in a society of social housing can also have very positive consequences. In fact, the experience of ongoing projects shows that the intervention of the artist often reveals the urban problems of the architecture of the place. The artist offers a look outside and 'questions' architectural decisions without disapproves of them.Finally, it is obvious that 101% wondered about the interaction between art and the public. It is a matter of artistiquand not negligible. The concept requires the artist to attend the public meeting, residents and thus create links 'artistic'.Housing Molenbeek has responded enthusiastically to this program through the appointment of Daniel Dutrieux proposed an original artistic project. He imagined this creation of observation: "two hundred apartments lay side by side, is a town. And in a town, everyone is talking about. Unfortunately, when rooms are arranged vertically, there is less chance of meeting (...) ». Everything is said.In addition, my presence here today was also an opportunity to highlight the participation in the daily life of the inhabitants in this project.  Active participation of all is a good example of public investment and certainly an engine for all districts of Brussels!I congratulate the housing in Molenbeek and the BRS for this initiative, also like to congratulate Daniel Dutrieux by creation - it would circle meetings and relaxation - and also photographers, painter, graphic designer... those who have contributed to this new area of discussion and design 'book to open' where are all the testimonies of the inhabitants.