Inclusive and accessible tourism
Accessibility is a core dimension of Bruges’ urban and tourism policy, as evidenced by the city’s dedicated accessibility officer and its comprehensive Accessibility Plan (2023-2025). In addition to accessibility features such as acoustic signals, step-free access, and tactile guidance systems, the city uses technologies such as the Lili app to help visually impaired people navigate the city independently. Furthermore, Bruges promotes inclusion and anti-discrimination across all departments and designs public spaces to be safe and open to everyone. As a member of the Rainbow Cities Network, and through cultural initiatives such as Brugge2030 and ‘Letters to the City’, Bruges amplifies underrepresented voices, including those of LGBTQ+ citizens.
Cultural heritage and urban regeneration
Bruges is a living UNESCO heritage city, holding multiple recognitions for both its historic city neighbourhoods and intangible heritage, including Belgian beer culture and the carillon tradition. To preserve its heritage, the city’s historic buildings are being reimagined as cultural and tourism infrastructure sites. These include the Site Oud Sint-Jan, a former hospital, which now hosts exhibitions and events, and Het Entrepot, a redeveloped Custom House which now supports over 50 young artists and creative entrepreneurs. Collaboration between heritage institutions and cultural houses inspires new artistic work. Initiatives such as Handmade in Brugge support artisans and sustainable producers, encouraging visitors to support local businesses, while Werkplaats Immaterieel Erfgoed involves communities in creative entrepreneurship.
Data-driven innovation and inclusive digital accessibility
Bruges applies digital innovation to improve visitor experience and urban liveability, treating technology as part of policy, planning, and service delivery. Besides collecting data on visitor activity, Bruges has co-developed the Urban Sense data platform to enable real-time standardised data processing for smart cities, the Urban Digital Twin, which integrates traffic and air quality data to simulate policy scenarios, and providing real-time crowd insights from the VLOED system, helping the police manage mass events. For visitor experience, the city invests in immersive and interactive technologies to make cultural heritage more accessible to the public. A notable example is the ‘Closer to Memling: New Visitor Experiences Through Innovative Technologies’ project by Musea Brugge. The project brings the works of Memling to life in an interactive audiovisual experience.
Sustainable urban development
Bruges approaches sustainability as an ongoing process guided by the Brugge Naar Morgen plan. This plan focuses on seven priority themes ranging from fossil-free heating and renewable energy to sustainable mobility and local involvement. Crucially, the city aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 50% by 2030 and to become climate neutral by 2050. Known as a city of bikes, Bruges has been discouraging car use and promoting walking, cycling and public transport since the 1970s. The city is enhancing its liveability not only by introducing car-free and car-reduced zones or improved cycling infrastructure, but by limiting visitor tours. For instance, cruise visits are limited to two ships per day, walking tours are regulated through a code of conduct, and sightseeing buses, segways or boat tours are restricted to align with the city’s liveability criteria.