Debate Over Renaming Etterbeek Station: Exploring the Border Dilemma between Etterbeek and Ixelles

2023-09-25 06:31:00

Because the Etterbeek station… is not in Etterbeek, but in the neighboring town of Ixelles. A subject that has caused a lot of ink to be spilled. In 2018, a motion from Ixelles requested its name change to “Ixelles-Universités” and challenged the Minister of Mobility at the time. In reaction, Etterbeek immediately made a counter-motion to keep the name.

As the renovation of the building approaches, the debate is visibly reopened. Questioned at the last municipal council by the opposition councilor Geoffroy Kensier (Les Engagés), the alderman of Mobility, Yves Rouyet (Ecolo), indicated that he wanted to “take advantage of the opportunity, since we are going to change the signage of the “all the buildings, to ask the question once more”.

According to the Ecologist, the mention “Etterbeek” should not be completely removed from the name. “This station has always been called Etterbeek. For what ? Because the border has changed.” A ULB professor has studied the question and also advises keeping the Etterbeek mention. “Residents and users are used to it.”

But for Alderman Rouyet, the appearance of the station will change, and this place will be, thanks to the footbridge, even more focused on Ixelles. “It is very important that the two names of Etterbeek and Ixelles appear.” A proposal that sounds more diplomatic than the cavalier motion of 2018.

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