the commission with extra office space. The road would be reduced from four lanes to two, be returned to two way traffic (rather than all west-bound), and the architects proposed a tram line to run down the centre. A series of high rise buildings would be built on either side with three taller "flagship" high rises at the east end on the north side. Charles Picqué described the towers as "iconic buildings that would be among the highest in Brussels" and that "building higher allows you to turn closed blocks into open spaces." The tallest buildings would be up to high, though most between 16 and 55, but the higher the building the further back it would be set from the road. The freed up space (some ) would be given over to housing, shops, services and open spaces to give the area a more "human" feel. A sixth European School may also be built. On the western edge of the quarter, on the Small Ring, there would be "gates to Europe" to add visual impact. Given the delays and cost of the Berlaymont and other projects, the Commissioner emphasised that the new plans would offer "better value for money" and that the designs would be subject to an international architectural competition. He also pushed that controlling the buildings carbon footprint would be "an integral part of the programme". Pedestrian squares There were plans to pedestrianise parts of the Rue de la Loi next to the Berlaymont. A new / (currently the Robert Schuman Roundabout) would be one of three new pedestrian squares. Schuman would focus on "policy and politics" and Schuman Station itself would be redesigned. Coverings over nearby motorways and railways would be extended to shield them from view. However, the planned pedestrianisation of the Schuman Roundabout was cancelled in late 2014. A pedestrian and visual link would be created between the Berlaymont and Leopold Park by demolishing sections of the ground to fourth floors of the Justus Lipsius, the south "bland" facade of which would be redesigned. Further pedestrian and cycle links would be created around the quarter. Pedestrian routes would also be created for demonstrations. Next to the Parliament at Leopold Park, the block of buildings between the / and the / would be removed, creating a broad boulevard-like extension of the Place du Luxembourg, the second pedestrian square (focusing on citizens). The third pedestrian square