Spatial Planning in the Liege Region: 1948–1988

Abstract

Belgium is a relative latecomer in the development of regulations about city and regional planning. In fact, only with the passage of the law of March 29, 1962, did Belgium benefit from planning legislation applicable to all of the municipalities of the country. This legislation also addressed the economic and social as well as the aesthetic aspects of regional planning This historic gap by no means signifies that the immense process of city planning and design has been neglected. On the contrary, there have been many examples of successful town planning in the history of Belgian cities, including Liege. For example, in the 19th century, during the period of rail and other vast national level communications construction involving the occasional expropriation of entire districts, a successful urban restructuring of Liege was brought about in harmony with the industrial revolution of that time.