Integration of Contemporary Architecture in Historical Cities in Belgium (1970-1989)

Integration of Contemporary Architecture in Historical Cities in Belgium (1970-1989). A Revisionist History of Postmodernism in Liège and Bruges Through the Mapping of Positions and Debates

The project aims to examine the segment of postmodern architecture in Liège and Bruges, realized between 1970 and 1989, which sought to reintegrate formally within the historic city center and which took position in the urban renewal / integral conservation programs set in motion through state funding granted to these two cities. Unlike a number of historical studies on canonical projects in Brussels, which reacted against the so-called "Bruxellisation", a nuanced study of postmodern architecture in provincial cities like Liège and Bruges is still lacking.

The case studies selected for this project, designed by architects such as V. Desmedt, J. Francotte, Groep Planning, E. Van Assche, or C. Vandenhove were often criticized and judged as either of much or of little architectural interest by journalists and architectural critics in the late 20th century. The way in which these projects responded to the urban mythologies of the "scarred city" of Liège or "Bruges-la-Morte" remains largely unquestioned.

By combining recent disciplinary insights of architectural history and heritage studies, this project proposes an important revision and contribution to the history of postmodern architecture, at a moment when key actors involved can still be interviewed and personal archives of architects have become available. The project proposes to use the tools of controversy mapping to retrace the history of controversies around these projects and larger urban renewal, contributing to timely challenges of adaptive re-use.

This project is funded by the FNRS and the FWO research funds, within the framework of the WEAVE program. Valentine Masset and Warre Onnockx are doing doctoral research into the histories of Liège and Bruges respectively. In 2027 an exhibition and a conference will be organized.

Project Info

Research groups: Architecture Culture and the Contemporary (ACC) and Theory and History of Architecture
Duration: from 01-01-2025 to 31-12-2028
Researchers: Maarten Liefooghe, Wouter Van Acker, Valentine Masset and Warre Onnockx
Promotors: Maarten Liefooghe (UGent) and Wouter Van Acker (ULB)