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Blame game as Brussels builds ‘Europe’s largest frying pan’ instead of shady square

The Guardian UK Sunday 09 August 2026, 04:00 UTC By Jennifer Rankin in Brussels 1 min read
Key Points

Architect’s vision for redevelopment of heart of EU quarter unrealised amid political wrangling and rising costsThe redevelopment plan for Schuman Square at the heart of the EU quarter in Brussels was very ambitious. From a traffic-clogged, nondescript roundabout, it would become “an urban agora”, a greener, calmer meeting place, nothing less, said a former head of the Brussels government, than “a symbol that beats as the heart … of the European project”. It did not turn out that way.

Architect’s vision for redevelopment of heart of EU quarter unrealised amid political wrangling and rising costs

The redevelopment plan for Schuman Square at the heart of the EU quarter in Brussels was very ambitious. From a traffic-clogged, nondescript roundabout, it would become “an urban agora”, a greener, calmer meeting place, nothing less, said a former head of the Brussels government, than “a symbol that beats as the heart … of the European project”.

It did not turn out that way. The result, say critics, is Europe’s largest frying pan, a concrete expanse with little greenery or shade. While the number cars has reduced and the space is remodelled with smart grey paving, the centrepiece – a steel canopy with a green roof – was never built.

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Brussels (LOCATION) Europe (LOCATION) Architect (ORG) EU (ORG) Schuman Square (PERSON) European (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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Blame game as Brussels builds ‘Europe’s largest frying pan’ instead of shady square

Architect’s vision for redevelopment of heart of EU quarter unrealised amid political wrangling and rising costsThe redevelopment plan for Schuman Square at the heart of the EU quarter in Brussels was very ambitious. From a traffic-clogged, nondescript roundabout, it would become “an urban agora”, a greener, calmer meeting place, nothing less, said a former head of the Brussels government, than “a symbol that beats as the heart … of the European project”. It did not turn out that way.

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Blame game as Brussels builds ‘Europe’s largest frying pan’ instead of shady square

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