Variable Arrangements Between Residential and Productive Activities: Conceiving Mixed-Use for Urban Development in Brussels

Mixing productive economic activities with housing is a hot topic in academic and policy discourses on the redevelopment of large cities today. Mixed-use proposed to reduce adverse effects modernist planning such as single-use zoning, traffic congestion, loss quality public space. Moreover, city plead for re-integration industry manufacturing urban tissue. Often, historical examples successful mixed-use areas serve guiding image, vertical symbiosis appearing holy grail live-work mix-discourse. This article examines three recent mix projects developed by real estate agency Brussels. We investigate how different spatial layouts shape links between productive, residential, other land uses potential conflicts residents actors are mediated. develop theoretical framework based earlier conceptualisations development analyse functional relationships within projects. situate them policies From this analysis, we conclude that should be understood considering at various scales studying actual layout shared spaces, logistics nuisance mitigation. highly contextual, depending characteristics area well goals. The but one example valid strategies along good neighbourship, overlap, tolerance. As such, future commercial industrial will occur degrees mixity our cities.