TO-MORROW IN THE PRESENT TENSE, ENTENARY

In May 2022, several Brussels garden neighborhoods celebrated their 100th anniversary. Neighborhood parties were organized, old friendships were renewed, and the neighborhoods themselves put their best foot forward. Over the past academic year, aside from the official festivities, I took walks through various garden neighborhoods in search of their unique, distinctive characters. While the garden neighborhoods may share a common origin and (political) background, their implementation across the various Brussels municipalities is radically different. Brussels has every reason to be proud of its garden neighborhoods, and preserving these historic architectural gems is crucial. In a city where the housing shortage is severe, affordable housing is under pressure, and the population is growing rapidly, such housing projects are something not to be forgotten. This final blog post offers a cross-section of the various neighborhoods I encountered and highlights the differences in layout, atmosphere, distinctive features of the houses, and charming details.

Genius loco and initial atmosphere

Terdelt, Schaarbeek; Tuinbouw, Evere; Jouet-Rey, Etterbeek; Le Logis-Floréal, Watermaal-Bosvoorde (2); Het Rad, Anderlecht; Chomé, Schaarbeek; Tornooi(veld), Evere