It’s a question that many ask: What exactly does CERIA – COOVI mean to Brussels? CERIA – COOVI is more than just a metro stop. It’s also a school in Anderlecht. Here, students learn about food, hotels, and agriculture.
CERIA – COOVI is a Brussels Metro station. It sits on line 5’s western side. You will find it in Anderlecht. That is in the western part of Brussels. CERIA – COOVI serves the Food and Chemical Industries Education and Research Center. The metro station got its name from this center. CERIA in French and COOVI in Dutch refer to the same center. Also, the IKEA Anderlecht store is very close to the CERIA – COOVI station.
The CERIA – COOVI metro station opened September 15, 2003. It was part of the Bizet–Erasme/Erasmus extension. Other stations opened at the same time. These were Erasme/Erasmus, Eddy Merckx, and La Roue/Het Rad. Before April 4, 2009, it was part of line 1B. On that day the Brussels Metro changed. CERIA – COOVI became part of the extended east–west line 5.
Near CERIA-COOVI, there is a parking area with space for 1,300 cars and motorbikes. It has four stories. The roof is also used for parking. There is also a place to park 300 bicycles safely.
Brussels wants to reduce city center car traffic. So, they are building intermodal nodes. These nodes are near metro and tram lines. The Parking Ceria-Coovi is one of these.
The project aimed to have a small footprint. This improves the soil and helps the environment. Open space around CERIA – COOVI was turned into green areas. A green embankment blocks noise from the Ring road. Different plants were chosen to help local wildlife. Rainwater is managed to soak into the ground. There is even a stormwater infiltration basin.
A plaza for walkers and bikers was created. It has room for small shops. Commuters can visit a bookshop or cycling shop. These shops make the area more social and safer.
So, next time you pass through CERIA – COOVI, remember it’s a place of learning. It’s also part of Brussels’ plan for better transportation and a greener city.