City of Brussels
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox Belgium municipality
The City of BrusselsTemplate:Efn is the largest municipality and historical centre of the Brussels-Capital Region,Template:Efn as well as the capital of the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Region (from which it is separate) and Belgium.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The City of Brussels is also the administrative centre of the European Union, as it hosts a number of principal EU institutions in its European Quarter.Template:Sfn<ref name="12010E/PRO/06">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn
Besides the central historic town located within the Pentagon, the City of Brussels covers some of the city's immediate outskirts within the greater Brussels-Capital Region, namely the former municipalities of Haren, Laeken, and Neder-Over-Heembeek to the north, as well as the Avenue Louise/Louizalaan and the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos park to the south-east, where it borders municipalities in Flanders.
Template:As of, the City of Brussels had a population of 196,828 inhabitants.<ref name="IBSA">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The total area is Template:Convert, which gives a population density of Template:Convert.<ref name="IBSA" /> Template:As of, there were 75,998 registered non-Belgians in the City.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).
Territorial historyEdit
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Historically, the City of Brussels was simply defined, being the area within the second walls of Brussels, the modern-day Small Ring (Brussels' inner ring road). As the city grew, so did the surrounding villages, eventually forming a contiguous city, though the local governments retained control of their respective areas.
At the country's independence in 1830, the new members of the Belgian upper class hoped to create a new prestigious residential area in the capital. An official plan for the Leopold Quarter was drawn up in 1838, marking the first major extension of the City of Brussels in its eastern part, following the transfer of a large area of the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. The area was designed to emanate from Brussels Park (located in front of the Royal Palace), and was laid out on a grid in a traditional classical pattern centred around the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}/{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.
Shortly afterwards, in 1844, the Avenue Louise/Louizalaan was proposed as a monumental avenue bordered by chestnut trees that would allow easy access from Brussels' city centre to the popular recreational area of the Bois de la Cambre/Ter Kamerenbos.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn<ref name="Louise">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, fierce resistance to the project was put up by the towns of Saint-Gilles and Ixelles—then, as now, separate municipalities (local authorities) from the City of Brussels—through whose territories the avenue was to run.Template:Sfn After years of fruitless negotiations, the City of Brussels finally annexed the narrow band of land needed for the avenue, in addition to the Bois de la Cambre itself, in April 1864.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn<ref name="Louise" /> That decision accounts for the unusual shape of today's City of Brussels and for the separation of Ixelles into two separate areas.
To the east, in 1853, following the bankruptcy of Saint-Josse's municipal administration, the City of Brussels purchased half of this municipality. Nowadays, this is the Squares Quarter, the only part of the Brussels municipality to have the same postal code (1040) as the municipality of Etterbeek. Further east, in 1880, a former military exercise ground and the surrounding land, also located in Etterbeek, were attached to the City to create the Parc du Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark, an exhibition space commemorating the 50th anniversary of independence. A leisure park and museums were subsequently set up there.
Unlike most of the municipalities in Belgium, the ones now located in the Brussels-Capital Region were not merged with others during mergers occurring in 1964, 1970, and 1975.<ref name="roots">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, a few neighbouring municipalities have been merged into the City of Brussels, including Haren, Laeken and Neder-Over-Heembeek in 1921.<ref name="Brussels">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These comprise the northern bulge in the municipality. To the south-east is the above-mentioned strip of land along the Avenue Louise that was annexed from Saint-Gilles and Ixelles. Part of the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (ULB)'s Solbosch campus is also part of the City of Brussels, partially accounting for the bulge in the south-eastern end.
DemographicsEdit
Historical populationEdit
Template:As of, the City of Brussels' population was 196,828 inhabitants.<ref name="IBSA" /> The area is Template:Convert, making the density Template:Convert.<ref name="IBSA" />
Taking into account the current municipality, including the former municipalities annexed in 1921 (Haren, Laeken and Neder-over-Heembeek) from 1831: <timeline> Colors=
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BarData=
bar:1831 text:1831 bar:1846 text:1846 bar:1856 text:1856 bar:1866 text:1866 bar:1880 text:1880 bar:1890 text:1890 bar:1900 text:1900 bar:1910 text:1910 bar:1920 text:1920 bar:1930 text:1930 bar:1947 text:1947 bar:1961 text:1961 bar:1970 text:1970 bar:1981 text:1981 bar:1990 text:1990 bar:2000 text:2000 bar:2010 text:2010 bar:2020 text:2020 bar:2024 text:2024
PlotData=
color:d width:20 align:left
bar:1831 from:0 till: 102701 bar:1846 from:0 till: 129680 bar:1856 from:0 till: 159809 bar:1866 from:0 till: 169311 bar:1880 from:0 till: 183315 bar:1890 from:0 till: 205096 bar:1900 from:0 till: 218623 bar:1910 from:0 till: 218969 bar:1920 from:0 till: 203058 bar:1930 from:0 till: 200433 bar:1947 from:0 till: 184838 bar:1961 from:0 till: 170489 bar:1970 from:0 till: 161080 bar:1981 from:0 till: 139678 bar:1990 from:0 till: 136706 bar:2000 from:0 till: 133859 bar:2010 from:0 till: 157673 bar:2020 from:0 till: 185103 bar:2024 from:0 till: 196828
PlotData=
bar:1831 at: 102701 fontsize:S text: 102.701 shift:(-10,5) bar:1846 at: 129680 fontsize:S text: 129.680 shift:(-10,5) bar:1856 at: 159809 fontsize:S text: 159.809 shift:(-10,5) bar:1866 at: 169311 fontsize:S text: 169.311 shift:(-10,5) bar:1880 at: 183315 fontsize:S text: 183.315 shift:(-10,5) bar:1890 at: 205096 fontsize:S text: 205.096 shift:(-10,5) bar:1900 at: 218623 fontsize:S text: 218.623 shift:(-10,5) bar:1910 at: 218969 fontsize:S text: 218.969 shift:(-10,5) bar:1920 at: 203058 fontsize:S text: 203.058 shift:(-10,5) bar:1930 at: 200433 fontsize:S text: 200.433 shift:(-10,5) bar:1947 at: 184838 fontsize:S text: 184.838 shift:(-10,5) bar:1961 at: 170489 fontsize:S text: 170.489 shift:(-10,5) bar:1970 at: 161080 fontsize:S text: 161.080 shift:(-10,5) bar:1981 at: 139678 fontsize:S text: 139.678 shift:(-10,5) bar:1990 at: 136706 fontsize:S text: 136.706 shift:(-10,5) bar:2000 at: 133859 fontsize:S text: 133.859 shift:(-10,5) bar:2010 at: 157673 fontsize:S text: 157.673 shift:(-10,5) bar:2020 at: 185103 fontsize:S text: 185.103 shift:(-10,5) bar:2024 at: 196828 fontsize:S text: 196.828 shift:(-10,5)
</timeline>
- Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981 = census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January
Foreign populationEdit
The City of Brussels has a large immigrant population, with both the EU and non-European migrant communities outnumbering the native Belgians. Akin to neighbouring Ixelles, Etterbeek and Schaerbeek, the City of Brussels also has a large Muslim population, mainly of North African origin.
Template:As of, taking into account the nationality of birth of the parents, 55.84% of the City of Brussels's population is of non-European origin (predominantly Moroccan, Indian and Congolese), 27.21% is of European origin other than Belgian (mainly French, Romanian, Italian, Spanish, and Polish), while 16.94% is solely of native Belgian ancestry.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Among all major migrant groups from outside the EU, a majority of the permanent residents have acquired Belgian nationality.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Migrant communities in the City of Brussels with over 1,000 people as of 1 January 2020:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
| Template:Flag | 9,049 |
| Template:Flag | 7,431 |
| Template:Flag | 7,057 |
| Template:Flag | 5,175 |
| Template:Flag | 4,690 |
| Template:Flag | 2,777 |
| Template:Flag | 1,832 |
| Template:Flag | 1,758 |
| Template:Flag | 1,704 |
| Template:Flag | 1,591 |
| Template:Flag | 1,573 |
| Template:Flag | 1,565 |
| Template:Flag | 1,511 |
| Template:Flag | 1,389 |
| Template:Flag | 1,309 |
| Template:Flag | 1,177 |
| Group of origin | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023<ref name=":1">Statistics foreign population in Belgium by municipality (in French and Dutch only)</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> | |
| Number | % | |
| Belgians with Belgian background | 32,916 | 16.94% |
| Belgians with foreign background | 85,377 | 43.94% |
| Neighbouring country | 4,194 | 2.16% |
| EU27 (excluding neighbouring country) | 6,629 | 3.41% |
| Outside EU 27 | 74,554 | 38.37% |
| Non-Belgians | 75,998 | 39.12% |
| Neighbouring country | 13,512 | 6.95% |
| EU27 (excluding neighbouring country) | 28,534 | 14.69% |
| Outside EU 27 | 33,952 | 17.47% |
| Total | 194,291 | 100% |
PoliticsEdit
As in every other Belgian municipality, the City of Brussels is headed by a mayor, who should not be confused with the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region or the Governor of Brussels-Capital. The current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The current mayor of the City of Brussels is Philippe Close, a member of PS, who is in coalition on the municipal council with Ecolo - Groen, DéFI and Forward.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Environmental policyEdit
Brussels is ranked sixth in the index of cities which are becoming greener fastest as for the year 2022, even though in the past it had a reputation of a "traffic-choked city of high rises and concrete". The authorities released a plan composed of seven steps on how to make the city even more sustainable. Those include introducing "a use-based, circular and low-carbon economy" and making the city "proactive". The city should become a "10-minute city" meaning "making the facilities essential to urban life accessible to every inhabitant in less than 10 minutes". Green spaces should be expanded. The plan includes participation of the population in decision-making and high life level for all.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
CultureEdit
MuseumsEdit
There are many museums in and around Brussels' city centre. On the first Sunday of every month, free entry is granted to many of Brussels' museums.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of museums in the City of Brussels:
- Royal Museums of Art and History :
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium :
- Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History
FoodEdit
Brussels is well known for its food. Brussels sprouts were named after the city.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Like most of Belgium, moules-frites, waffles (gaufres), chocolate, French fries, and beer are common there.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is home to one 2-starred and four 1-starred Michelin restaurants.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Honorary citizensEdit
Among the recipients of the honorary citizenship of the City of Brussels are:<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
| Date | Name | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 June 1945 | Dwight D. Eisenhower | |||
| 12 September 1945 | Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein | |||
| 11 October 1945 | Charles de Gaulle | |||
| 16 October 1945 | Sir Winston Churchill | |||
| 16 April 1946 | Sir Arthur Coningham | |||
| 26 May 1982 | Simone Veil | |||
| 5 October 1984 | Maurice Béjart | |||
| 24 April 1985 | Gaston Thorn | |||
| 20 December 2001 | José Géal | |||
| 8 September 2004 | Annie Cordy | |||
| 18 May 2005 | José Van Dam | |||
| 22 June 2005 | Marc Sleen | |||
| 23 September 2005 | Alberto Uderzo | |||
| 24 November 2005 | Jacques Van der Biest | |||
| 20 December 2005 | Dick Annegarn | |||
| 4 Februari 2006 | Guy Loiseau | President of the Order of the Friends of Manneken Pis<ref name=":0" /> | ||
| 22 March 2006 | Marcel Hastir | |||
| 12 June 2006 | Henri Vernes | |||
| 24 June 2006 | Bernard Foccroulle | |||
| 19 October 2006 | Jean-Baptiste Beken | Compagnon de Saint-Laurent<ref name=":0" /> | ||
| 14 November 2006 | Cécile Muller | President of Miss Belgium | ||
| 5 May 2007 | Elisabeth t'Kint | Manager of the Cirque Royal<ref name=":0" /> | ||
| 7 May 2007 | Julot Verbeeck | Press officer of the Cirque Royal<ref name=":0" /> | ||
| 17 April 2008 | Expo 58 hostesses | |||
| 12 October 2009 | William Vance | |||
| 24 February 2010 | David Susskind (1925–2011) | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 12 May 2011 | Stéphane Hessel | |||
| 22 November 2011 | Jean Van Hamme | |||
| 25 September 2013 | Agnès Varda | |||
| 29 March 2014 | Nathan Clumeck | Professor and managing director of the Saint-Pierre Hospital | ||
| 30 October 2015 | Grand Jojo | Also known as Lange Jojo | ||
| 25 March 2016 | Woltje | Puppet from the Royal Theatre Toone | ||
| 22 September 2017 | Arno | |||
| 27 September 2018 | Diane von Fürstenberg |
SymbolsEdit
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HeraldryEdit
| Previous versions | |
|---|---|
| {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | The Original arms were plain Gules.<ref>Guillaume Des Marez, "L'origine des armoiries de Bruxelles. Première phase: De gueules plain", in: Études inédites, Brussels, 1936, p. 111–113.</ref> From the 16th century on, it was customary to put the figure of the city seal representing Saint Michael, first as a shadow then in a more elaborate form.<ref>Louis Robyns de Schneidauer, La couronne comtale de la ville de Bruxelles, in Le Parchemin, Gendbrugge-lez-Gand, 1939 (March–April).</ref>
Note: many of the arms of the Seven Noble Houses of Brussels were variants of these arms. |
| File:Greater Coat of Arms of Brussels (1730).svg | 1730 arms |
| {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} | Napoleonic arms<ref>(en)Brussels[archive], on the Heraldry of the World website.</ref> |
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VexillologyEdit
| Flag of the City of Brussels | |
|---|---|
| Description:
Green and red with at its centre Saint Michael slaying the dragon (Devil). Symbolism: Saint Michael is the patron saint of the city.<ref>Netherlandish sculpture 1450-1550 by Paul Williamson 2002 Template:ISBN page 42</ref> See: Saint Michael slaying the Devil | |
See alsoEdit
- Transport in Brussels
- Timeline of Brussels
- Bourgeois of Brussels
- Seven Noble Houses of Brussels
- Guilds of Brussels
ReferencesEdit
FootnotesEdit
CitationsEdit
BibliographyEdit
External linksEdit
- Official website Template:In lang
- Official tourism website Template:In lang
- Webcam Grand-Place Brussels
- Interactive map
Template:Geographic location Template:Brussels Template:Authority control