'Arenawijk,
politiek speelveld van Vlaams
modernistisch sociaal woningbouw erfgoed'
/
'Arenawijk,
a Political Playing Field of Flemish
Modernist Social Housing Heritage'
2026 - ongoing
Self-initiated socio-political urban research
Supported by: Vlaams Kunstendecreet, Morpho, VAi
Photography by: Sophia Holst
Thanks to: Stad Antwerpen, AG Vespa, Woonhaven, Agentschap Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen, Sven Sterken, Saamo Antwerpen, Bewonersgroep Samen voor Arena, residents
The Arenawijk in Antwerp, a social housing neighbourhood designed by the socialist architect Renaat Braem in the 1960ties, is currently facing demolition and privatisation to make way for new social development plans. Marked by years of political negotiation, poor living conditions, and local protests, the Arena district has become a political playing field, illustrating the complex burdens of Flanders’ modernist social housing heritage on the one hand, and resident's struggles for a say and better living conditions on the other.
Through a wide range of conversations and an examination of the broader state of the social housing system in Flanders, I seek to uncover the social ideals—if any—underpinning the development strategies of the Arenawijk. How can we explain the choices for demolition, sale and new housing construction? And how does it relate to both local (his)stories and the wider question of the numerous modernist social housing heritage that still need to be renovated in Flanders? Should we imagine alternative policies?
