At the end of 2019, 21,706 hectares of unbuilt plots in residential areas and 9,361 hectares of cutable building land in residential expansion areas were still available in the Flemish municipalities. Minister of the Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA) answered a question from Flemish Member of Parliament Mercedes Van Volcem (Open Vld).
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Demir’s answer shows that the number of unused hectares in residential area varies between the provinces: from 2,640 hectares in West Flanders to 5,698 hectares in Antwerp.
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With regard to the number of undeveloped hectares in residential expansion areas, which usually border on residential areas or are already provided with access roads, East Flanders ranks the crown with 2,613 hectares. 1,134 hectares are still available in West Flanders.
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Quote When construction is doing well, the economy is doing well
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According to Van Volcem, it is important that local authorities have a good overview of the available space on their territory. On the one hand because scarcity leads to higher prices, on the other hand because the construction sector also deserves the necessary incentives. “Because if construction goes well, the economy will do well,” says Van Volcem. “The last thing we want is for building applications to come to a standstill and fewer homes on the market.”
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Social housing companies
The figures also show that part of the land is in the hands of social housing companies: 642.29 hectares in residential area and 958.37 hectares in residential expansion area.
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Van Volcem: “So there is barely 1,600 hectares available for a maximum of 48,000 housing units. This while there are 120,000 people on the waiting list. In the long term, therefore, other systems will have to be used than just additional construction. Social housing companies will also hit their limits. among other things, have to switch to smaller projects. ”
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