The Government of Flanders created the Stadsvernieuwing instrument in response to the urban exodus in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Through this programme, it invests in urban development projects that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social added value of cities. The instrument provides an impetus for ambitious spatial projects, through grants and expert guidance. Each year, 35 cities can apply for support for concrete projects or concepts.

To celebrate 20 years of Stadsvernieuwing, we developed the exhibition ‘Stadsvernieuwing is mensenwerk’, in which we use imagination to show how the instrument knew to turn the tide for the urban exodus and what its significance could be for Flemish cities in the future. The exhibition, specifically designed to travel along cities in which Stadsvernieuwing caused an urban revival, was first displayed in Lamot, Mechelen, in 2022.

On Wednesday 1 February, the Flemish government is launching a new approach concerning the instrument of Stadsvernieuwing. Therefore, the exhibition will make its second stop in Brussels during this week – it will be on display from Monday 30 January until Thursday 2 February, in the Herman Teirlinck building.

Lene De Vrieze and Alice Devenyns, both part of the curator team, will give a guided tour (NL/EN) on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

Exhibition ‘Stadsvernieuwing is mensenwerk’
> 30 January until 2 February
> Free entrance from 9h00- 19h30
> Guided tour on Tuesday 31 January from 18h30-19h30 – sign up
> Herman Teirlinck building, Havenlaan 88, 1000 Brussels