Development of open regions in Flanders, a collection of small stories

Subtitle:Thought paths for a renewed spatial policy in the development of the open regions in Flanders

The metropolis of Flanders is not a diffuse city with evenly spread built-up and open spaces. The spatial development and policy are based on a historical network of small towns, villages and neighbourhoods and on a physical system that has made building selectively possible. This historically anchored small scale creates a diverse palette of living environments and open space rooms or areas with their own character and spatial qualities. In 2050, Flanders will have an estimated 1.2 million additional inhabitants. This demographic growth cannot only be supported by the larger cities. Within the entire Flemish territory, additional housing and facilities will have to be realised. The realisation of this with attention to the specific character and spatial qualities of the small-scale Flemish metropolis will be an important challenge, certainly in the more rural areas. This paper focuses on the future development of the open regions in Flanders and the specific role of the Flemish government in this. The Green Paper includes the ambition to give these areas a clear spatial structure and landscape identity, whereby additional housing development in these rural regions does not always have to pose a threat to the spatial quality and character of rural Flanders. The actual development will become an active landscape reinforcement: a collection of small stories, top-down and bottom-up initiatives, cooperation between the various stakeholders, production and consumption, spatial planners and a Flemish government that can take a leading role in strategic places.

Publication year:2013

Accessibility:Open