Today, Ghent owns approximately 1,800 hectares of rural land, mainly outside the city limits. However, this once totaled 5,000 hectares of fields, meadows, and forests.
The story of Ghent’s agricultural land begins in the 13th century when wealthy city dwellers, abbeys, and hospitals acquired land beyond the city walls. For centuries, hospitals relied on these lands to maintain financial stability and provide food for the city’s poor and sick. In the 20th century, the city expanded with the port and highways, the newly reformed Public Social Welfare Centre (OCMW) changed its social policies and stopped distributing food, and the agricultural sector underwent significant transformation. As a result, some of Ghent’s agricultural lands were sold and fell into oblivion.
The Ghent’s Lands exhibition changes that by shedding light on this intriguing chapter in Ghent’s history, as well as that of other cities, through illustrations, film footage, and remarkable objects. The exhibition also features an impressive overview map of all municipal lands, created with the help of POPPKAD.
Exhibition:
Ghent’s Lands, from March 22 to September 29, 2024, at the Ghent City Museum (STAM).
DETAILS
Database used: POPPKAD
Date: April 2024
Category: Exhibition