Keeping up the architectural standards

By Lorraine Mallinder

Date: 22/06/06

One of the biggest fans of Brussels's often under-rated 1950s architecture is La Commission Royale des Monuments et des Sites de la Region de Bruxelles Capitale (CRMS), a regional body assisting in development of the city's urban conservation policy.

Unsurprisingly, given the city's role as host to the 1958 World's Fair (Expo), Brussels boasts a fine range of some of the best examples of the period's buildings, including the Atomium, the Ravenstein Gallery and the Prévoyance Sociale tower.

"In the 1990s, not much attention was paid to this type of architecture. There was a risk of neglect," says a CRMS representative, citing the case of Foncolin (Fonds Colonial d'Invalidité), a 1950s office block with a façade made of prefabricated elements of vibrated concrete, which once stood in the Léopold area. It was demolished in 2001 to make way for a replica.

The CRMS brings together specialists from a variety of fields including architects, engineers, botanists, restorers, historians, and legal and economic advisers. Twelve of its 18 members are nominated by the Brussels Regional Parliament, six by the commission itself.

Founded in 1835, it originally played a national role, advising the government not only on conservation and restoration issues, but also on new building projects. In 1912, its remit was extended to include sites of cultural and natural interest. By the 1930s, its role in helping to preserve the quality of the nation's landscape had been enshrined in national legislation.

In 1968, following the trend towards increased separation between Belgium's linguistic communities, CMRS was split into two teams catering for the Francophone and Flemish-speaking populations. Despite a concerted effort to provide an integrated service for both communities, however, Brussels fell behind in terms of architectural conservation.

"That [the linguistic divisions] did have something to do with it, as our work was less focused," says the representative. "But, at the same time, it was a phase of strong economic growth. There was a surge of construction work, which threatened the survival of older buildings."

In 1989, responsibility for overseeing urban development was decentralised and the CRMS took on its present incarnation as a specialised body catering uniquely for Brussels. In 2004, it was included in le Code Bruxellois de l'Aménagement du Territoire, an umbrella framework embracing the disciplines of urban development, building preservation and environmental protection.

Although the CRMS focuses on conservation at regional level, it maintains close links with international bodies such as the International Council of Monuments and Sites, or Icomos, a division of Unesco. The Grand' Place (below), Brussels's main square, which contains the intricate 15th century town hall and the late-17th century buildings with golden inlays surrounding the square, has been under international protection since 2004.

But, magnificent as these buildings may be, Brussels's conservation policy aims beyond the preservation of postcard-perfect prettiness. "I think it is important to point out that architectural and site conservation is only one element of all research being carried out on sustainable development," says the representative. The commission's reasons for promoting conservation are not only to preserve historical value, but also to uphold such buildings as examples of sustainable construction."

Article on conservation policy in the city of Brussels.
Article is part of a European Voice Special Report, 'Brussels property'.