Built-up area
Almost 29% of the total area is built-up
At the start of 2022, 3,936 km² of the Flemish Region was built-up, which corresponds to 28.9% of the total surface area (13,626 km2). This mainly concerns plots occupied by dwellings and roads, including adjacent spaces used for human activities.
The built-up area increases every year. In 2000, 24.4% of the total surface area was built-up, in 2022 that proportion was more than 4 percentage points higher.
Nearly half of built-up area used for housing
The residential function occupies the largest share of the built-up area: in 2022, 44% of the built-up area was used for housing. Land for transport and telecommunications also accounted for a significant proportion of the built-up area. In 2022, it amounted to 29.8%.
Brussels Region has highest building rate
The building rate is highest in the Brussels-Capital Region. In 2022, 80.4% of the surface area of this region was built-up. With 15.6%, the Walloon Region had the lowest building rate.
In all regions, the share of built-up area increased between 1990 and 2022. This increase was most pronounced in the Flemish Region.
Sources
- Statbel:
Relevant links
- Department of the Environment and Spatial Development: