Urbanisation and internationalisation
The municipalities in the Vlaamse Rand have become rapidly urbanised. People have moved out of the capital to live in the quiet Flemish villages on its periphery. As Brussels expanded to become the political and administrative capital of Europe, increasing numbers of foreign officials and executives settled in the periphery. These new suburbanites remain focused on Brussels: they work there, enjoy the cultural life there and look for relaxation there.
Livability at risk.
This urbanisation has also brought prosperity to the region and made it more open, international and cosmopolitan. Nevertheless, it has also caused problems. The pressure of urbanisation is putting the livability of the Vlaamse Rand at risk. The countryside has been divided up for housing, covered in buildings and sliced through by busy trunk roads.
Flemishness.
Internationalisation brought language problems, since the Flemish municipalities – Dutch-speaking – had to absorb a major influx of speakers of French and other languages from the capital. This also loosened the social cohesion of the village communities. The policy-makers are faced with the challenge of reaching out to the non-Dutch speakers and at the same time reinforcing the Flemish character of the periphery. |
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