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Johan Leman, 16 June 2022

Recently, it has been rightly complained that the policy is much too slow in building up expertise and only reacts when a problem has already reached an advanced state of being difficult to solve. One thinks of the teacher shortage. I would also add: the lack of policy for speech therapists; the lack of an approach to water collection if a water bomb were to explode in certain areas above Brussels; the lack of soil softening, the many far too heavy trams only a few metres from the houses that vibrate the walls (so that wall damage is predictable in the long run), …etc.

Well in time (namely 10 years before the development will occur), I would like to draw attention to the care for the elderly in Brussels.

The Federal Planning Bureau does not expect any increase in the Brussels population until 2030. Between 2030 and 2070, it expects an increase of 100,000 inhabitants. This will be accompanied by a 5-year increase in life expectancy, i.e. to 86.9 years for men and 89.0 years for women by 2070. The +80 category will double.

In concrete terms, this will be particularly felt in the city of Brussels, Schaarbeek, Anderlecht and Molenbeek.

In addition to programming additional shelter in the area of adapted housing, this will

ideally include the following:

– Level footpaths, without too many bothersome bollards and objects, and without too many loose stones.

– Reduction of dangerous crossroads.

– Good and regular public transport.

– Appropriate street lighting.

– Escalators that work and that do not go too fast.

– Occasional benches along the road.

– Occasional clean public toilets (m/f).

– A few contact points for digital services for the over-75s, for example linked to a municipal service.

Community guards could be given the task of keeping a close eye on all this.

Perhaps we can already look forward to the creation of an Elderly Rights Unit (under the name of Elderly Rights Commissioner or not) who will make sure that all of this gets done in time, especially in those municipalities just mentioned. With 10 years to develop expertise and approach, this should be possible and Brussels can set an example.

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