Abstract
In contrast with the overall disurbanization of Belgium, the planning and development of the new university town of Louvain-la-Neuve, in the metropolitan area of Brussels, Belgium, is an attempt to create a high-density-low-rise mixture of urban function in the European urban tradition. Two thousand acres were acquired by the University of Louvain. An eventual population of up to 50,000 is planned. Only the central part of the site is now developed; the remaining portion is being kept as open space. The emphasis is on small groups of town houses and terraced streets. The division of the site into small plots, each developed separately by different architects, has led to both variety and economy. The new town is highly pedestrianized, that is, its road system discourages the use of cars for short trips, and it has a railway station to encourage outward journeys by train. The aim is to develop the "town and gown" interaction found in the old university towns, with a social mix both of university and town, and university and industry. Moreover, a science park for high technology research and development firms is situated close to an industrial research park.
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