"I'm going to demolish this...".: The reconstruction in Aarschot - Jan Rymenams

These words were spoken by Hoog Koninklijke Commissaris F. André in 1920 on the occasion of an exhibition about the reconstruction of Aarschot in the Waalse Mons. He wanted to raze the Grecht to the ground and build a green neighborhood for civil servants. Most older Aarschot residents know that this never happened. Yet, that reconstruction is a fascinating story of some political arbitrariness, a touch of megalomania, and beautiful work by local architects that clearly defines the cityscape. To this day, we see how the urban planning designs of Pladet from 1915 still have their impact on the city. During these walks, we will step along traces in the urban fabric of a decade of reconstruction.