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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Kortrijk station to receive heritage protection after all

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • The Flemish government will provisionally protect Kortrijk’s 1951 railway station, ending a long dispute over its possible demolition.
  • Heritage Minister Ben Weyts called the building a unique example of postwar monumental classicism and the last major reconstruction-era station in Flanders.
  • The provisional status still requires a public inquiry, but local officials say protection can coexist with plans to modernize and renovate the station.

Kortrijk’s distinctive 1950s railway station, once threatened with demolition, will remain standing after all. Flemish Heritage Minister Ben Weyts announced provisional protection for the building in Kortrijk ahead of Open Monument Day.

The station, built in 1951, is known for its symmetrical yellow-brick façade, bright concourse and playful decoration. The decision brings an end to a dispute that had lasted for years. A public inquiry still has to take place, but the article says the final protection now appears likely.

a particularly high-quality and unique example of monumental classicism in the postwar period. It is the last major reconstruction station after the Second World War.

· Ben WeytsThe Flemish heritage minister explained why Kortrijk station should receive protection.

Until recently, the national railway company NMBS and the city had planned a new station and a major redevelopment of the surrounding area. Earlier, there had been little enthusiasm among the railway company and the authorities for saving the existing building. Matthias Diependaele, the previous heritage minister, had said it would not be protected because postwar reconstruction architecture was already well represented and 62 stations were already listed.

This protection need not be a brake on the development plans for the station.

· Ben WeytsWeyts said heritage status could coexist with plans to modernize the station.

Weyts has now taken the opposite view. He called Kortrijk station “a particularly high-quality and unique example of monumental classicism in the postwar period” and “the last major reconstruction station after the Second World War.” He said the building represents an important chapter in Flanders’ postwar reconstruction.

The minister rejected the idea that protection would freeze the station in place. “This protection need not be a brake on the development plans for the station,” he said, adding that the heritage agency would advise NMBS, Infrabel, De Lijn and the city. The railway company plans to renovate the building as part of a broader station renewal. Kortrijk Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe said the city wanted to find a strong balance between the building’s heritage value and the needs of a modern station.

We are seeking a strong balance between the building's heritage value and the needs of a modern station.

· Ruth VandenbergheThe Kortrijk mayor described the city’s approach to the protected building.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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