Flanders Plans More Homes and Less Building Land

After years of negotiations, the Flemish government has reached an agreement on a new plan that will shape how land is used across Flanders in the coming decades.

The plan aims to protect more open space while making room for new homes, farms and businesses. Under the agreement, 30,000 hectares of land that could previously have been developed will receive permanent protection. Half will become agricultural land and the other half will be reserved for nature and forests.

Flanders also plans to remove 13,000 hectares of paved surfaces by 2040. The goal is to make the region better prepared for drought and heavy rainfall.

At the same time, the government expects 450,000 new homes to be needed by 2050. Instead of using large amounts of new land, it wants to make better use of existing residential areas.

One of the main ideas is to make it easier to divide large homes into smaller units. This would help meet the growing demand for housing as more people live alone, families become smaller and older people stay in their homes longer.

The government also wants to give businesses more room to expand on their existing sites. Companies could have more options to build upward or use suitable reserve land, while the total amount of land set aside for businesses should not decrease.

Local governments will also have a role in deciding how their areas develop. The Flemish government says cities and towns have different needs and should be able to make local agreements while staying within the wider regional goals.

The plan is not yet final. It still needs consultation with local authorities and a public review, during which residents will be able to give their feedback. The Flemish government also says additional funding will be needed to fully carry out the plan.