01 Mar '21

Urban enclaves

7551
door Koen Demarsin
Haren and Diegem-Lo, two villages that defy any logic of urban expansion. Despite the pressure of the constantly growing city, they have managed to resist the passage of time.

They seem to be like islands surrounded by roads and businesses, strange places to be treasured amidst all the hustle and bustle. And yet, they are still there, these two recalcitrant villages, refusing to yield to the logical course of events. The lingering doubt as to whether they are a forgotten part of the city or a remnant of the countryside that has disappeared provides them with their own identity. People enjoy living here despite all the noise and environmental pollution and the uncertainty. Their remoteness lends the villages a kind of peaceful atmosphere that no noise can eclipse. The delimiting factor has its advantages.