The redesign of Schuman Square, a major public space in Brussels’s EU quarter, was intended to transform a traffic-congested roundabout into a vibrant urban gathering place. An international architectural competition selected a Belgian-Danish consortium whose vision featured a distinctive steel canopy with a green roof, modeled after the European Parliament’s hemicycle chamber. This structure was meant to provide shade and shelter for EU officials, residents, and tourists while becoming an iconic symbol of the European project.
The project faced significant obstacles from its inception. The square sits atop underground infrastructure including a car tunnel, metro station, and utility pipelines, which precluded large trees. Additionally, the site’s proximity to EU institutions and its role as a demonstration venue imposed security requirements that complicated planning. After winning designs were selected in 2017, construction did not begin until 2023, by which time cost estimates had risen substantially due to inflation and geopolitical disruptions. The initial budget was set at €25 million, with €17.4 million allocated from EU pandemic recovery funds.
Belgium’s highly decentralized governance structure, combined with political instability in Brussels, derailed the project’s completion. Following inconclusive elections in June 2024, the city’s 89-seat bilingual parliament remained deadlocked for an extended period, leaving a caretaker government unable to authorize additional spending. When the caretaker administration sought supplemental EU funding in June 2025 to cover cost overruns, Belgium’s prime minister rejected the request, characterizing it as an embarrassing request for aid.
The newly formed Brussels government, which took office in February 2026, ultimately cancelled the canopy component, whose projected cost had doubled to €13 million. Officials stated the decision reflected budgetary constraints and a desire to prioritize affordable, environmentally sustainable alternatives. Current plans involve developing a greener design, potentially incorporating water features, with completion targeted for summer 2028. Former officials and civic advocates who championed the original vision remain disappointed, though some have indicated openness to alternative concepts that meet similar objectives.
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