Activity 10: Conclusion
Brussels, a permanent construction site?
Activity 10: Conclusion
What should you take away from this section?
Through the study of several iconic construction projects in this section, you have been able to discover a number of key moments that have marked the urban development of Brussels.
As you have now seen, Brussels' location at the intersection of waterways and land routes resulted in the rapid development of infrastructures that established the city as a major commercial centre. Key moments of this rise included the establishment of an open-air market in the 12th century (the future Grand Place) and the inauguration of the canal linking Brussels to Willebroeck in 1591, followed by its extension to Charleroi in 1832.
From the 19th century onwards, urban densification, the emergence of new services and the desire of the local and national elites to project the image of a powerful, dynamic and modern capital, resulted in the development of several major construction projects. These projects had profound impacts on the appearance of the city and on its inhabitants, many of whom were driven out of their neighbourhoods.
This type of urban planning policy is even known as "Brusselisation" (also beyond Belgium). The term refers to such developments; ones that are generally advantageous to property developers and large construction companies, characterised by the destruction of the urban heritage and existing social structures, as well as the construction of high-rise buildings and office complexes that are poorly integrated into the landscape.
A paradigm shift then began in the 1980s, which involved aims to transform the urban fabric into a more sustainable realm, while respecting the inhabitants and heritage. It was in this context that, in the early 2000s, the City of Brussels initiated projects to renovate the central boulevards and reduce car traffic, leading to the establishment in 2015 of the vast pedestrian area in the heart of the city.
At the same time, the long-neglected area around the Willebroeck canal has been receiving particular attention, resulting in the construction of new residential buildings, the development of cultural infrastructures, the provision of new services on the Tour & Taxis site, and so on. On the whole, this approach is firmly based on the premise that a flourishing cultural and creative economy will ultimately benefit the quality of life of inhabitants and their social cohesion.
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