Ever wondered what it’s like to live in a town where languages intertwine? Kraainem offers a glimpse into such a unique cultural landscape.
Kraainem is a municipality in Flemish Brabant. It sits in Flanders, one of Belgium’s three regions. This town may seem like any other, but it holds a special linguistic character. Kraainem is a municipality with language facilities. Flanders’ official language is Dutch. In 1963, French-speaking inhabitants were given special language facilities. They were a minority then. These residents could request official documents in French. Today, most of Kraainem’s inhabitants speak French.
Let’s step back in time to understand Kraainem’s urbanization. Until the 1920s, the forest of Stokkel belonged to the d’Huart family. When grandfather d’Huart passed away in 1927, his family created “la Société Immobilière de Stockel”. They built a lane through the forest. This lane is now Albert d’Huartlaan. It was covered in gravel until 1960. Homes sprang up around the “Hurlevent.” The real construction boom began in 1930. It accelerated after World War II.
In 1940, Kraainem had about 2,800 residents. By 1945, the population grew to 3,254. By 1954, it jumped to 5,190. That year marked a surge in urbanization. Social housing projects like Eigen Haard in 1949 changed the landscape. The Josephine Charlotte neighborhood followed in 1954. By 1967, over 11,000 people called Kraainem home.
In 1993, Kraainem had 12,780 residents. Of these, 2,623 were immigrants. Despite being in Flanders, Kraainem became increasingly French-speaking. Dutch speakers became a minority. Local politics often revolves around language issues. Kraainem’s location is close to the airport, NATO, and the European Quarter. An increasing number of non-Belgians have settled here.
The southern end of Albert d’Huartlaan connects to the Quatre Bras road intersection. Here, the Brussels Ring meets Avenue de Tervueren. Tram route 44 also stops here. Brussels tram route 39 serves other parts of Kraainem. Three stations on Brussels Metro line 1 are just over the boundary in Brussels. One station is even named Kraainem.
Kraainem’s rich history makes it a tourist destination. Its location near Brussels and Zaventem Airport helps. The 8th-century St. Pancras Church attracts visitors. The 20th-century Bouvier-Washer Cité is also popular. The Salesian monastery adds to Kraainem’s attractions.
Kraainem offers a blend of cultures. Its linguistic landscape and urbanization history make it a unique place. From its early forests to its modern-day appeal, Kraainem holds stories worth exploring.