Brussels, Belgium
(2009) Finance and Governance of Capital Cities in Federal Systems — ISBN: [9780773535657], p. 33-55, published
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- In recent times Brussels has become synonymous with the European Union (EU) both in the press and in the larger public perception. However, Brussels is a historical city. Although Belgium was established in 1830, Brussels’ importance as an administrative and commercial centre long predates the founding of the Belgian state. The city’s status as an administrative centre through succeeding periods of Burgundian, Austrian, Spanish, and Dutch rule ensured that Brussels would house the institutions of state when Belgium was founded in 1830. This role has never been questioned. Brussels’ location at the commercial and cultural crossroads of Europe made it the natural choice for capital of the new state (home to two main linguistic and cultural communities and now a federated entity), as well as host to the European Union and several of its major institutions. There was thus no need for an appointed commission to choose between several cities, taking into account climate, security, landscape, or other factors. Belgium is a small country and Brussels is the largest and most central city.
Citations
Van Wynsberghe, C. (2009). Brussels, Belgium. In Slack, Enid; Chattopadhyay, Rupak (eds.) (ed.), Finance and Governance of Capital Cities in Federal Systems (p. p. 33-55). McGill-Queen’s University Press. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/47699