Deurne(Dutch pronunciation:[ˈdøːrnə]ⓘ) is the second largestdistrictof the municipality ofAntwerp,Belgium, (right after the Antwerp town district) and has 82,270 inhabitants (2023).[1]
Deurne | |
|---|---|
 Sterckshofcastle | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
Location of Deurne  | |
 Location of Deurne in Antwerp | |
  Deurne   Deurne | |
| Coordinates:51°13′29″N4°27′45″E/ 51.22472°N 4.46250°E | |
| Country |  Belgium |
| Community |  Flemish Community |
| Region | Flemish Region |
| Province |  Antwerp |
| Arrondissement | Antwerp |
| Municipality | Antwerp |
| Area | |
• Total | 13.03 km2(5.03 sq mi) |
| Population (2023-1-1) | |
• Total | 82,270 |
| • Density | 6,300/km2(16,000/sq mi) |
| Postal codes | 2100 |
| Area codes | 03 |
| Website | [1] |
Deurne is best known for its green environment with the biggest park in AntwerpRivierenhof.
History
editAncien régime
editDeurne was said to be the place where the Irish missionaryFredigandwas abbot of Kerkelodor Abbey in the eighth century.[2] There are indications that Deurne existed in prehistoric and Roman times but the first tangible proof of Deurne only dates back to 1185. During theAncien régimeDeurne was nothing more than part of the EasternhinterlandofAntwerp.Like many dwellings it settled on the crossroads of a river (theSchijn) and a connection route (the 'Turnhoutse baan': the road from Antwerp toTurnhout).
Deurne consisted mainly of sparsely populated farmland. However, as a direct result of the increasing wealth of the Antwerp population, manyaristocraticestates were erected (the so-called "Hof van Plaisantie"was a specific rural estate, abourgeoisversion of achâteauorcountry house). Typically, merchants, diplomats, wealthy artists (likePeter Paul Rubensf.i.) would escape to their Hof van Plaisantie. Some country houses in Deurne were:Sterckshof,Papenhof,Lakbors,Bisschoppenhof,Gallifort,Inkborsch,Bosuil,Ertbrugge&Venneborg.Although most country houses were destroyed over the centuries (especially in 1542), some like Sterckxhof or Bisschoppenhof survived. Further surviving evidence of this aristocratic history of Deurne is the St Fredegand Church and the adjacent cemetery (theSt-Fredegandusbegraafpark).
Nineteenth century
editAfter thebattle of WaterlooWilliam of Orangestarted to connect the Antwerp port with its hinterland through the construction of a series of canals between Antwerp andLiège,connecting theScheldtwith theMaas.The work, started under his reign in 1823, was completed in 1874.
The effect of this canal was to establish a permanent barrier north of Deurne (where theKleine Schijnused to flow), separating it fromMerksem.In the south theGrote Schijnwould form the south barrier of Deurne. The effect of both barriers was to enhance an 'island feeling' for Deurne. This was further promoted by the establishment of theBrialmont fortificationsaround Antwerp. Deurne was split apart and the western part of Deurne (Borgerhout) was to become a separate municipality. The rest of Deurne now lay outside theenceinteand became physically and mentally more separated from Antwerp.
Modern times
editBecause of the barriers constructed in the nineteenth century, urbanization would only begin in the twentieth century. Many large scale urban functions were 'dropped' in the undestined area previously occupied by the Brialmont-fortifications (like the event hallSportpaleis Merksem).Urban planningstarted in 1913 and although the original plan was never fully realised it did determine the spatial structure of Deurne.
A real demographic explosion happened because of this urban planning and the need for many Antwerp residents to find modern housing. The population grew from 15,432 in 1920 to 52,303 in 1935.
World War IIhalted this evolution, mainly because of theV-2 bombardments.After 1945 the growth of Deurne started again and in the 1960s social housing & other community projects further enhanced this new urban identity of Deurne.
From 1972 onward Deurne was subject to theurban exodusand theurban sprawlwhereby people moved from the dense urban centres towards thesuburbs.As a result, the population began to diminish in numbers and the remaining population became older.
In 1983 Deurne was absorbed into the municipality of Greater Antwerp (see:Antwerp) whereby Deurne became one of the 9 districts. In 2001 Antwerp was decentralised, Deurne once again has its own elected council, not a city council but a district council, not a mayor but a 'chairman of the district governing board'...
Major attractions
editDeurne has one of the oldest still functioning airports in the world, established in 1923.Antwerp Airportis a regional airport with only a limited number of flights a day. Located at the airport is the Stampe & Vertongen Museum, at the location of the old aircraft production company of the same name.
Politics
editDistrict college
editThe members of the district college between Januari 1, 2019 and 31 December 2024 are:
| District college | |
|---|---|
| Districts chairman | Tjerk Sekeris (N-VA) |
| District aldermen | |
District council
editThe district council of Deurne has a total of 29 seats. De district council chairman is Frank Geudens (SP.A).
Notable people
edit- Erik Van Looy,film director and TV quiz presenter
- An Pierlé,musician
- Björn Leukemans,cyclist
- Pascal Struijk,footballer (born 1999)
- Peter Renkens,Belgian singer, frontman of Confetti's
Economy
editVLM Airlineshas its head office on the grounds ofAntwerp International Airportin Deurne; the office is alsoCityJet'sAntwerpoffice.[3][4]
References
edit- ^ab"Aantal inwoners per district".Stad in cijfers.Retrieved20 June2023.
- ^O'Hanlon, John (1873),Lives of the Irish saints,pp. 254ff
- ^"Your VLM contacts."VLM Airlines.1 August 2003. Retrieved on 6 July 2010. "Headquarters VLM Airlines Belgium NV Luchthavengebouw B50 B 2100 Deurne Antwerpen."
- ^"Our OfficesArchived2010-02-14 at theWayback Machine."CityJet.Retrieved on 6 July 2010. "Antwerp office VLM Airlines Belgium NV Luchthavengebouw B50 B 2100 Antwerp Belgium Company registration number 0446.670.251."
