Koekelberg

Summary

Koekelberg (French: [kukœlbɛʁ(ɡ)], Dutch: [ˈkukəlˌbɛr(ə)x] ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the north-western part of the region, it is bordered by Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, Jette, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).

Koekelberg
Koekelberg's Municipal Hall seen from the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein
Koekelberg's Municipal Hall seen from the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein
Flag of Koekelberg
Coat of arms of Koekelberg
Location of Koekelberg
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Koekelberg
Koekelberg
Location in Belgium
Koekelberg municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region
Coordinates: 50°52′N 04°20′E / 50.867°N 4.333°E / 50.867; 4.333
Country Belgium
CommunityFlemish Community
French Community
RegionBrussels-Capital
ArrondissementBrussels-Capital
Government
 • MayorAhmed Laaouej (PS)
 • Governing party/iesPS, Ecolo-Groen, Alternative Humaniste
Area
 • Total1.18 km2 (0.46 sq mi)
Population
 (2020-01-01)[1]
 • Total21,959
 • Density19,000/km2 (48,000/sq mi)
Postal codes
1081
NIS code
21011
Area codes02
Websitewww.koekelberg.be

As of 1 January 2022, the municipality had a population of 22,023 inhabitants, the smallest in the region.[2] The total area is 1.18 km2 (0.46 sq mi), which gives a population density of 15,543/km2 (40,260/sq mi).[2]

The municipality is dominated by the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world.[3] Its main transportation hub are the connected Simonis and Elisabeth metro stations, served by the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB) system.

Politics edit

The current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.[4] The current mayor of Koekelberg is Ahmed Laaouej, a member of PS, who is in coalition on the municipal council with Ecolo - Groen and Alternative Humaniste.

Main sights edit

  • The Municipal Hall of Koekelberg, located on the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein. Built in 1882, it was fitted with a geometric Art Deco facade designed by the architect Henri-Aimé Jacobs in 1938.[5]
  • The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), a minor basilica and parish church, as well as one of the largest churches by area in the world.[3] Completed only in 1969, and combining Art Deco with neo-Byzantine elements, its cupola provides a panoramic view of Brussels and its outskirts.
  • Lefever House, an early 20th-century (1913) Art Nouveau town house built by the architect Fernand Lefever, which has been listed as a protected monument since 2006.[6]
  • Finally, the municipality maintains several green areas, including Elisabeth Park and Victoria Park.

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ "Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2020". Statbel.
  2. ^ a b "Koekelberg | IBSA". ibsa.brussels. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b Stéphany 2006, p. 63.
  4. ^ "Résultats officiels des élections communales 2018" (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  5. ^ "maison communal – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural". monument.heritage.brussels (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Maison personnelle de l'architecte Fernand Lefever – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural". monument.heritage.brussels (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2023.

Bibliography edit

  • Stéphany, Pierre (2006). "Bruxelles. La basilique de Koekelberg". La Belgique en cent coups d'oeil (in French). Tielt: Lanno Publishers. ISBN 2-87386-445-1.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Koekelberg at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official site (in French and Dutch)