Sustainable Development Report 2015

35 / 60

33
A company like Cofinimmo finds that
mobility is essential for its clients. It’s a
real issue that can only gain in importance.
When developing real estate, we speak
to end clients who will require us to show
them how to access their building and how
to leave it. In particular, they will need to be
told that parking is very limited in Brussels.
So, I suppose that Cofinimmo’s clients will
demand creative mobility solutions.
What values do you emphasise in the STIB/MIVB societal
policy?
R.F. Two words summarise everything:
“Responsibility” and “Together”. Because of its
significance as a leading employer and its
presence in the city, the STIB/MIVB is responsible for the
impact of its activity. We must manage this impact,
decrease it when it is negative, and amplify it when it is
positive. In addition, we must work “together” with the
stakeholders so that the STIB/MIVB integrates better into
the city.
What is the degree of priority given to business
travel?
R.F. The client base of inhabitants of Brussels and
commuters who commute to their workplace
and back is very important, representing at least
25% of our travellers. We know that problems arise
especially during peak hours. That’s why we’re investing a
lot to relieve congestion during these hours.
Is the STIB/MIVB developing its network, taking into
account the real estate development projects?
R.F. Yes. Thanks to our study departments, we are
fairly well informed upstream of real estate
development projects. This is essential because
it sometimes takes two to three years to develop a line.
How do mobility and real estate professionals come
together?
R.F. There are multiple opportunities: at the
Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) and of
Brussels enterprises (BECI), and within the
Belgian platform for Corporate Social Responsibility The
Shift. Each month, the Brussels government organises a
meeting where people discuss welcoming businesses
into the Region. The STIB/MIVB’s role is important in that
context. In short, there are very regular contacts between
experts in economics, real estate, and mobility.
What strategic indicators do you monitor to improve
the operation of the STIB/MIVB?
R.F. We have an ad hoc programme, which we’ve
named “Drive”: how to be more efficient, how to
spend less while doing as much as or even
more, with the same customer satisfaction. In addition, as
we are subsidised, we have the duty to spend public
funds efficiently. The “Drive” programme also has a
sustainable development aspect. For example, how can
we consume less with our vehicles? We launched energy
recovery during braking of the metro, and we are
beginning to do the same with the braking of trams.
Kudos for engineering, but the “Drive” programme also
has social aspects, for example the fight against
absenteeism, which comes down to focusing on the
well-being of employees: if they feel good at work, they
will be absent less often.
Is the environment a daily, widespread concern for the
STIB/MIVB?
R.F. When I arrived at the STIB/MIVB, I noticed that a
lot of people were aware of sustainable
development and wanted to make this concern a
priority. At the STIB/MIVB, sustainable development
comes up as often as breathing. In fact, we’re forced to
talk about it. Public transport is very present and
cumbersome, even in Brussels. But it’s give and take:
although our vehicles take up space, make noise, and
pollute, they transport people who don’t take their car. We
are also one of the leading employers in Brussels.
Because of our profession, we are at the heart of all the
sustainable development issues. I’d like to add one last
thing: accessibility for all. Of course, persons with
reduced mobility, for example the disabled, but also
people with children, strollers, and large packages. This is
also an aspect of our responsibility.
“I’M NOT SURPRISED THAT THE LINK
BETWEEN REAL ESTATE AND MOBILITY IS
A PRIORITY FOR COFINIMMO.”
* The full interview with Robert Fontaine is available at
Excerpt from the interview with Robert
Fontaine, Corporate Planning and Reporting
Manager, Strategy & Innovation of the Brussels
Public Transport Company (STIB/MIVB)