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In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote the "Communist Manifesto" _ "a specter over Europe _ the specter of communism" _ in a cabaret with a spectacular view of the Grand Place, Brussels or Plaza Mayor.


Communism came and went and the cabaret is now a restaurant, still called "The Swan." If Marx and Engels viesen a spectrum here today, it would be the urban kitsch over the years has invaded the central square of Brussels.


The Grand Place, exquisitely preserved, is a cultural heritage of humanity that dazzles visitors throughout the year, but in the maze of narrow streets and alleys around it, the beauty of a Magritte sky framing old Flemish gables surrenders quickly the ugliness of years of neglect in municipal planning.

Among the Marche aux Fromages and will meet with a vulgar "Kebab Alley's, where neon lights under piles restaurantitos Greek pita sandwiches they serve, where the Hotel Mozarts, inscrutable, blends Old Vienna with North African exaggerated decorations, plastic palm trees where adorn the Pizzeria Veneziana.


In the Rue de la Colline, chocolate shops selling brands unknown to most Belgians.

Rue des Eperonniers have a night full of graffiti shop, a tattoo salon and restaurant "Belgian Frit'N Toast" one of the greasy food emporium whose yellow facade is not improving in the least thanks to a huge, smiling bag of French fries.


"What we see today is a visible decline in the quality of a historical area around the Grand-Place," says Christian Ceux, the Brussels city councilor for urban planning.

In a recent interview, Ceux said the municipality was planning to soon impose severe restrictions on the design business in an area of 3.9 square kilometers around the Grand-Place. An ordinance to this effect will be implemented by the end of the year.


The warning notices and menus will be limited field in number and size. Awnings and umbrellas can only be red, green, the colors of Brussels.

Ads will be banned neon, like polyester window frames, reflective windows, air conditioners outdoor banners, garlands and flashing lights in the texts.


The plans include steps to encourage people to live again in the historical heart of the city. "Stairs sealed with bricks are reopened to the upper floors could be converted into apartments again," says Ceux.

The aim is to restore dignity to the ancient buildings are now decorated with tables strident, filthy awnings and facades open to make room for more tables and chairs.


"The new regulations will take effect slowly as the permits expire in stores and restaurants," said Ceux.

"Most importantly, now the authorities will ensure compliance with those standards," he added.


To date, the city has rules that are applied on a voluntary basis. This has resulted in the Grand-Place, but not with the surroundings.

Nowhere in the decline of historic Brussels is as spectacular as in the Petite Rue des Bouchers.


The narrow street links the Grand-Place to the Ilot Sacre, a den half dozen streets filled with restaurants, many of which limit their menu to pizza, spaghetti and lasagna.

It's bad reputation Petite Rue des Bouchers, where labor law inspectors come constantly harass street vendors and bystanders chocolates are attracted to the city refuses to include in their tourist brochures.

Visitors are informed before going to the area found a few restaurants that rise above the prevailing level of quality disastrous. They include Vincent, L'Ogenblick, Aux Armes de Bruxelles and Scheltema.

"What I want to happen," said councilman Ceux, "is that in five to 10 years visitors will find that the streets in the heart of Brussels as clean and pleasant as is the Grannd Place."