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Expo 58: the catalyst for Belgium's Welfare State Government complex?

2011; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 26; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/02665433.2011.599934

1466-4518

Rika Devos,

Urbanism, Landscape, and Tourism Studies

Abstract This article investigates the role of Expo 58, the first post-war world's fair, in the development of contemporary planning strategies for administrative and cultural complexes in Brussels. It argues that the Belgian government used this Mega Event as a catalyst for the construction of high-prestige buildings situated in a central zone within the capital. It examines the early planning initiatives of the government-commissioned Cité administrative and its connections with Expo 58, thereby highlighting the engagement of the Belgian Welfare State with modern architecture in the planning of prestige projects. This article thus argues for an understanding of the great event and the Cité administrative as part of the post-war government's ‘Exhibitionary Complex’, and using the case of Brussels suggests ways in which the impact of Mega Events could extend beyond their material remains. Keywords: Expo 58Exhibitionary ComplexWelfare Statemodern architectureBrussels Cité administrative Acknowledgements The author thanks Anne Everaert and Johan Vanderborght of the Régie des Bâtiments; Xavier Botterman of the Ministry of Economical Affairs, Dr Filip Strubbe and Dr Pierre-Alain Tallier of the State Archives for their kind assistance in the archival research which formed the basis of this text. Notes The world fair can be interpreted not only as a project of nation building among the Belgians, but equally as a vehicle for the international promotion of Belgium, aiming at Europe especially. In 1958 Brussels was granted the central seat for the European Community. The Road Fund 1955–1969, following the establishment of the autonomous Road Fund (Fonds des Routes or Wegenfonds) in 1952. The first highways realized were those connecting the fair site and the capital with other important centres: Ostend-Brussels (finished 1956) and Antwerp-Brussels (finished 1957). Although both initiated by the national government, the organization of the Road Fund, for which the first initiatives date 1949, is independent of the organization of Expo 58. Omer Vanaudenhove, Twee noodzakelijke wetten (Brussels: Paul Hymanscentrum, s.d.), 62–3. For an overview of the infrastructure works, see: Rika Devos, ‘Modern at Expo 58. Discussions on Post-war Architectural Representation’ (PhD diss., Ghent University, 2008). Bruxelles. Carrefour de l'Occident (Brussels: Ministère des Travaux publics et de la Reconstruction, 1956). In 1946, 177,830 cars were listed in Belgium; 685,666 in 1956 and 794,222 in 1958. Numbers taken from the INS (National Institute for Statistics), as quoted in Thierry Demey, Bruxelles. Chronique d'une capitale en chantier. De l'Expo '58 au siège de la C.E.E. Vol. 2 (Brussels: Paul Legrain, 1990), 15. Institutions and firms founded and (partially) owned by the national government, but functioning mainly autonomously: like the national airlines, Sabena; the national post and telegraph services; or several banking companies. This text is based mainly on research in the archival fund Expo 58 and in the archives of the Régie des bâtiments (Direction de Bruxelles-Capitale II, 1962–2000), State Archives (Brussels) and in the photo archives of the former Ministry of Public Works and Reconstruction, as well as on contemporary publications. André Loeckx, ‘20 jaar ontwerpen voor het Europakruispunt te Brussel, overzicht en kritiek’, Monumenten & Landschappen 8, no. 2 (1989): 29–48 and Kristiaan Borret, ‘Brussel X. Onfatsoenlijke fascinaties’, in Xaveer De Geyter Architecten. 12 projecten, ed. Geert Bekaert et al. (Gent: Ludion, 2001), 79–95. On the history of the site: Luc Verpoest, ‘Tussen Noordstation en Zuidstation, tussen bovenstad en benedenstad: de architectuur van een kruispunt’, Monumenten & Landschappen 8, no. 2 (1989): 4–28 or Thierry Demey, Bruxelles, Chronique d'une capitale en chantier, vols. 1 and 2 (Brussels: Paul Legrain, 1990, 1992). Louis Camu, ‘Deuxième rapport sur la réforme administrative. Rapport sur les bâtiments des administrations centrales de l'Etat’, Moniteur belge, 1937, 16. This railroad tunnel was planned since the nineteenth century, see: Demey, Chronique d'une capitale en chantier, vol. 1. The first designs for the Albertine library and the Mont des Arts date 1937–1938. H. Pieters, ‘De Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België: vier decennia van nationale representatie in architectuur, stedenbouw en interieurinrichting’ (MA thesis, Ghent University, 2009). On the relation with Expo 58: Rika Devos, ‘Expo 58 in the heart of Brussels. The many faces of the radiant new state’ (paper presented at 20th century great events: architecture, planning and urban development. International symposium, Politecnico di Milano, April 2, 2009), forthcoming publication. With flyers and booklets like: Bruxelles. Carrefour de l'Occident (Brussels: Ministère des Travaux Publics et de Reconstruction, 1956) or Omer Vanaudenhove, Hoe zal de nieuwe Kunstberg eruit zien? (Brussels: Ministerie van Openbare Werken en Reconstructie, 1955). Tony Bennett, ‘The Exhibitionary complex’, New Formations, no. 4 (1988): 74–102. ‘The exhibitionary complex’ as analyzed by Bennett refers to a complex of exhibitions, monuments and buildings used by institutions to display their presence and power to the general public. Bennett, ‘Exhibitionary complex’, 74. Ibid. According to an independent scientific poll, 80.5% of the Belgians attended, of which 95.6% were enthusiastic about the fair. See: Guillaume and Eliane Jacquemyns, L'Exposition de 1958. Son succès auprès des Belges. Opinions et voeux des visiteurs (Brussels: Insoc 1 and 2, 1959): 13. The fair welcomed 41,454,412 official visitors. Geert Bekaert and Francis Strauven, Bouwen in België 1945–1970 (Brussels: Nationale Confederatie van het Bouwbedrijf, 1971), 69. Even not in more recent, ambitious analyses like: Bruno De Meulder and Karina van Herck, eds., Vacant City. Brussels' Mont des Arts reconsidered (Rotterdam: Nai Publishers, 2000) or Bernard Deprez and others, La Cité administrative de l'Etat. Schémas directeurs et action publique à Bruxelles. Les Cahiers de La Cambre Architecture n. 8 (Brussels: La Cambre and La Lettre volée, 2009). A department involved with the construction of the inner ring road and the Junction. Like: Ernest Acker and Joseph Van Neck, important architects in the universal exhibitions of 1935, 1910 and 1897. Jean Hendrickx-van den Bosch, ‘In de Belgische Afdeling: eenheid en urbanisatie’, het bestek, no. 1 (1955): 51. Réunions service technique, 1951–1957 (31 January 1952). Brussels, State Archives, Fund Expo 58, no. 2.02.03/R.6, incorporated in [Moens de Fernig], Algemene wereldtentoonstelling Brussel 1956. De Commissaris Generaal der Regering. Verslag (1 March 1 1952), 2. Brussels, State Archives, Fund Expo 58, no. 2.03.04 and confirmed in the cabinet council of 14 March 1952, P.V. 13, 7–8. See BA1. Algemene wereldtentoonstelling Brussel 1958. Internationale afdeling der schone kunsten (Brussels: Commissariaat-Generaal, s.d.). Fernand Baudhuin, Histoire économique de la Belgique. 1957–1968 (Brussels: Etablissements Emile Bruylant, 1970), 23 and Moens de Fernig, Problèmes à résoudre sur le plan gouvernemental en vue de la réalisation de l'exposition 1958 (internal note, January 20 1955). Brussels, State Archives, Fund Expo 58, no. 2.03.03. Account by the Prime Minister Achilles Van Acker, cabinet council of 4 February 1955, P.V. 43, 1. Cabinet council of 4 February 4 1955, P.V. 43, 4. Cabinet council of 8 July 1958, P.V. 66, 1–2. Shortly after, most of these architects obtained important, government-related commissions for pavilions at Expo 58. Eventually, the Cité and its ‘Tower of Finances’ were put into use gradually since 1965. Gaston Brunfaut, ‘Mesure d'une exposition’, Rythme, no. 26 (1959): 2. Gaston Brunfaut, ‘Métamorphose de Bruxelles’, Rythme, no. 21 (1957): 10. See, for instance, George Howe, ‘Private and Public Administration Buildings’, in New Architecture and City Planning: A Symposium, ed. Paul Zucker (New York: Philosophical Library, 1944), 37–44, or the debates relating to the CIAM 8 meeting in Hoddesdon (1951) and its report Ciam 8: The Heart of the City: Towards the Humanization of Urban Life, ed. Jacqueline Tyrwhitt (London: Humphries, 1952). Because of the failure to deal with the so-called monofunctionality of the site, Leon Stynen resigned in 1959. Michel Ragon, L'Histoire mondiale de l'Architecture et de l'Urbanisme modernes. Tome 2: Pratiques et méthodes 1911–1971 (Tournai: Casterman, 1972), 331. Today, the ‘Tower of Finances’ is redressed and still in use, while the other parts of the Cité are abandoned. On the occasion of the sale, the Cité was brought under public attention by: Guido Jan Bral, Het Rijksadministratief Centrum (Brussels: Ministerie van het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 2007 and the film by Yves Cantraine, La Cité administrative de l'Etat. Histoire(s) d'une utopia à vendre (2006).