‘Archibelge’

Is Belgium the most ugly country in the world? Belgium's urban landscape is pretty special, to say the least. On either side of the language border, on any road you drive, any city or region you cross, you will find a bizarre and intriguing form of urbanization that is so one of the kind, you won't find anything like it  anywhere else in the world. Actually it's rather the lack of urbanization that is so unique and it is this particular aspect that is essential to Belgium's typical look. Our architectural landscape is hard to grasp, it is everything and nothing at the same time, a unique concept in itself. The 3-part documentary series Archibelge approaches the typical phenomena of our Belgian architecture from within ourselves. Its starting point is always a Belgian individual who is surrounded by the fascinating diversity of buildings on a daily basis. We ask ourselves how it is possible that Belgium has evolved into what it looks like today and how we will have to proceed in the future, now that the building sites are becoming scarcer by the day.

In addition, the interactive online platform Archibelge will be released.  By a national survey, we will investigate the living habits and wishes of the Belgian inhabitants. ‘How Archibelge are you?’ is the main theme of this national survey. Based on the collected desires, we will present innovative solutions for the big challenges we will face in the future.

The screening will be followed by a debate with:
Pascal De Decker: sociologist and urban planner - Sint-Lucas Architectuur
Bart Aerts: urban planner at Matexi
Marc Dillen: spokesperson Vlaamse Confederatie Bouw   
Karl Van den Broeck: moderator and programme planner BOZAR AGORA