Kortrijk Railway Station: 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites!

The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme stated: “The Kortrijk Railway Station is a unique architectural piece and a well-preserved example of Belgian railway heritage. The recent reconstructions of other Belgian railway stations demonstrate that saving the existing architecture combined with modern additions and functions, go perfectly well together.” 

The iconic building is now threatened to be demolished for the development of a new station. The initial plan was unveiled in 2015 by SNCB and Infrabel, who are the owners of the station. The demolition would not only mean the loss of an architectural gem and symbol of post-War World II re-development, but also the loss of a public space for the citizens of Kortrijk.

The local community has been campaigning against the demolition through petitions. The nomination to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2023 was made by the Flemish Association for Industrial Archaeology, with the endorsement of Europa Nostra Belgium, which advocates for the sustainable conservation and development of this architectural landmark. The nominator suggests retaining the public use of the building and including the citizens even further, with the establishment of offices and co-working spaces. The sustainable conservation and development of Kortrijk Station could set an example for reused industrial heritage in Europe and beyond.

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more on Docomomo.be At Risk-page
more on VRT news (26.02.2023)