Waterschei Garden suburb

The development of the Waterschei garden suburb is predominantly the work of architect Gaston Voutquenne.

Before he arrived, in 1912, engineer J. Verwilgen had planned a stark grid with parallel streets along which the suburb would be constructed. A clear hierarchical structure was put in place as well in the organisation of the dwellings.

During the first building phase of the Waterschei mining city mijncité the imposing executive villa and a number of worker's- and officers' houses were constructed. Because of the limited financial financiële means and the First World War, the building activities in Waterschei came to a temporary halt.

During the 1920s the extension of the mining city was resumed mijncité however; now according to Voutquenne's planning. The stark grid of the industrial city cité was abandoned by Voutquenne in favour of the loose structure of the garden suburb cité-jardin. He designed a garden suburb in which winding roads and attention to greenery were aimed at creat creëing an agreeable environment for the mine workers.

Voutquenne replaced the idea of a central, straight axis with a large central loop, which embraces the suburb as it were. This street received the appropriate name of Ceintuurlaan (Belt Lane).

In developing his plan Voutquenne looked to find a connection, particularly the Stalenstraat, the planned location of Waterschei station and the neighbouring Zwartberg mine. 

In the twenties, the suburb underwent a huge expansion and the greater part of the suburb near the Centuurlaan was developed. By July 1923, the suburb had 320 dwellings for workers and officers, and about ninety more were under construction. The necessary facilities of water, electricity and sewerage, were built.

Walking through the Waterschei garden suburb, you will see people of various nationalities. The middle class suburbs in the various mining cities and the large shopping streets offer a great variety of shops, restaurants and clubs of different nationalities. All these nationalties have added their own colour to the Waterschei garden suburb.

1. Private outings: Waterschei culture walk
2. Guided walk (with a city guide)