Lost in the city’s edge, have you ever stumbled upon an oasis where nature thrives? Welcome to the Vall\u00e9e du Vogelzangbeek. This valley largely escaped the construction boom. It remains a green haven on the city’s outskirts.
The Vall\u00e9e du Vogelzangbeek is located in Anderlecht. This classified site is part of a valley within the Zuunbeek basin. The Vogelzangbeek stream begins in Vlezenbeek. There, it is known as the Vleze. Upon entering the Brussels-Capital Region, it changes its name. It marks the boundary between the two regions. Eventually, it flows into the Zuunbeek near the Brussels-Charleroi canal.
In 1995, twelve associations jointly requested the area’s classification. Recognizing its aesthetic and scientific value, the government classified part of the valley as a natural heritage site in 1998. This classification highlights the landscape’s diversity. It features wooded areas and marshlands. There are also wet meadows, orchards, fields, and pastures.
Walking through the Vall\u00e9e du Vogelzangbeek, nature’s sounds envelop you. Hear the birds sing. Listen to the buzz of insects. The croaking of frogs fills the air. Agro-ecological initiatives thrive here. Market gardeners grow healthy seasonal vegetables. These feed the city through a local supply chain.
The Vogelzangbeek valley boasts a rich variety of vegetation. You’ll find relatively dry, open formations. Marshy herbaceous formations also exist. Vestiges of rural landscapes remain. Small-scale fields, pastures, and meadows dot the area. These meadows feature sweet vernal grass and meadow buttercups. Look for cuckoo flowers.
Note the rows of pollard willows at the Mijlemeers. They are among the most beautiful in the Brussels-Capital Region. The little owl lives and nests here. Its survival depends on maintaining this small-scale landscape. The Vogelzangbeek continues toward the Senne. Willow and reed beds mark its path.
Efforts by volunteers largely maintain the trails. Consider bringing a bag to collect any litter you find. Help keep this natural area clean. Since 2011, waste water is no longer discharged into the Vogelzangbeek in Anderlecht. It is now routed to nearby treatment plants in both regions. Maintaining consistent water quality requires coordinated action.
The “stream contract” approach gathers valley stakeholders. They collaboratively define actions. These actions restore watercourses and their surroundings. They also protect the basin’s water resources. Coordination Senne-Co\u00f6rdinatie Zenne and CCN Vogelzang CBN in Anderlecht organize walks. They address the topic with those involved.
The Vall\u00e9e du Vogelzangbeek faced challenges. In April 2001, the DEMA company obtained a building permit. It was issued without consulting the Royal Commission on Monuments and Sites. In September 2002, the Monuments and Sites service reported an encroachment on the permit’s boundaries. By July 2003, the court sanctioned the permit’s irregularity. It also addressed the construction on a classified site. DEMA was ordered to remove the illegal construction, clear backfill, and restore the terrain.
Today, the Vall\u00e9e du Vogelzangbeek stands as a testament to nature’s resilience. It highlights collaborative efforts to preserve this green space. The valley offers a place of peace and natural beauty. It connects us to the importance of ecological balance. It is a reminder of the need to protect these precious areas for generations to come.