Jardin du Maelbeek
The Jardin de la vallée du Maelbeek (French) or Maalbeekdaltuin (Dutch) is a small green space on the corner of Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat and Chaussé d'Etterbeek/Etterbeeksesteenweg at the heart of the European Quarter of Brussels (Belgium). It was inaugurated on 13 May 1951.[1]
| Jardin du Maelbeek | |
|---|---|
| Jardin de la vallée du Maelbeek (French) Maalbeekdaltuin (Dutch) | |
 View north from raised decking area | |
| |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium |
| Created | 13 May 1951 |
| Public transit access | Maelbeek/Maalbeek |
The park is testimony to the local residents' struggle against the rapid urbanisation (or "Brusselization") in the quarter that lacked urban planning and new green spaces. The site was originally destined to be used for a new headquarters for the Council of the European Union (which eventually moved into the Justus Lipsius building across the road) but in the face of unanimous opposition the Belgian government tried to sell, what was then a temporary car park, it to property developers before it was converted into a local park.[1]
A miniature river in the park reflects the Maelbeek river which once flowed through the area, but is now channelled through an underground collector.[1]
Looking towards Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, the Charlemagne (left) and Lex (right) buildings tower over the park
See also
- List of parks and gardens in Brussels
- Maalbeek
- Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station
- Brusselization
- Brussels and the European Union
References
- Demey, Thierry (2007). Brussels, capital of Europe. S. Strange (trans.). Brussels: Badeaux. p. 291. ISBN 2-9600414-2-9.