Koekelberg (French: [kukœlbɛʁ(ɡ)];[a] Dutch: [ˈkukəlˌbɛr(ə)x] ) is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the north-western part of the region, it is bordered by Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, Jette, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).
Koekelberg | |
|---|---|
 Koekelberg's Municipal Hall seen from the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
Location of Koekelberg  | |
  Koekelberg Location in Belgium
Koekelberg municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region  | |
| Coordinates: 50°52′N 04°20′E / 50.867°N 4.333°E | |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Community | Flemish Community French Community |
| Region | Brussels-Capital |
| Arrondissement | Brussels-Capital |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ahmed Laaouej (PS) |
| • Governing party/ies | PS, Ecolo-Groen, Alternative Humaniste |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.18 km2 (0.46 sq mi) |
| Population (2020-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 21,959 |
| • Density | 19,000/km2 (48,000/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 1081 |
| NIS code | 21011 |
| Area codes | 02 |
| Website | www.koekelberg.be |
As of 1 January 2022[update], the municipality had a population of 22,023 inhabitants, the smallest in the region.[2] The total area is 1.18 km2 (0.46 sq mi), which gives a population density of 15,543/km2 (40,260/sq mi).[2]
The municipality is dominated by the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the world.[3] Its main transportation hub are the connected Simonis and Elisabeth metro stations, served by the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB) system.
Politics
editThe current city council was elected in the October 2018 elections.[4] The current mayor of Koekelberg is Ahmed Laaouej, a member of PS, who is in coalition on the municipal council with Ecolo - Groen and Alternative Humaniste.
Main sights
edit- The Municipal Hall of Koekelberg, located on the Place Henri Vanhuffel/Henri Vanhuffelplein. Built in 1882, it was fitted with a geometric Art Deco facade designed by the architect Henri-Aimé Jacobs in 1938.[5]
- The National Basilica of the Sacred Heart (or Koekelberg Basilica), a minor basilica and parish church, as well as one of the largest churches by area in the world.[3] Completed only in 1969, and combining Art Deco with neo-Byzantine elements, its cupola provides a panoramic view of Brussels and its outskirts.
- Lefever House, an early 20th-century (1913) Art Nouveau town house built by the architect Fernand Lefever, which has been listed as a protected monument since 2006.[6]
- Finally, the municipality maintains several green areas, including Elisabeth Park and Victoria Park.
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Lefever House (1913) -
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Elisabeth Park
Footnotes
edit- ^ "Koekelberg" comes from Dutch, so its French pronunciation does not (exactly) match the French orthography. See also Schaerbeek.
References
editCitations
edit- ^ "Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2020". Statbel.
- ^ a b "Koekelberg | IBSA". ibsa.brussels. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ a b Stéphany 2006, p. 63.
- ^ "Résultats officiels des élections communales 2018" (in French). Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "maison communal – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural". monument.heritage.brussels (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Maison personnelle de l'architecte Fernand Lefever – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural". monument.heritage.brussels (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2023.
Bibliography
edit- Stéphany, Pierre (2006). "Bruxelles. La basilique de Koekelberg". La Belgique en cent coups d'oeil (in French). Tielt: Lanno Publishers. ISBN 2-87386-445-1.
External links
edit
Media related to Koekelberg at Wikimedia Commons- Official site (in French and Dutch)
