covering covering french dutch covering later main river brussels construction public buildings major place defining events history brussels french dutch historically main brussels city grew second half 19th century health hazard filled pollution garbage decaying organic matter flooded frequently lower town working class surrounded numerous proposals remedy problem mayor brussels selected design architect cover river build series grand public buildings project faced fierce opposition controversy cost need demolition working class construction contracted british company control returned government following scandal delayed project completed completion allowed construction modern buildings central downtown brussels today 1930s plans cover entire course greater brussels area grown significantly covering 19th century course changed downtown peripheral disused tunnels converted north south axis brussels underground system actual waste water completed march treatment stations built finally centuries problems brussels beginning 19th century brussels ways medieval city royal quarter upper town inhabited mainly nobility richer members modern rest city particular lower town located western half pentagon densely populated industrial characterized street layout narrow streets numerous dead ends river split branches penetrating pentagon site second city walls places main southern arm entered greater gate near today brussels south railway station smaller northerly arm entered lesser gate near today gate courses traced path city centre forming islands largest known branches met north exiting pentagon block east antwerp gate man arm called lesser french dutch continued borders pentagon moat outside gates followed canal rejoining main north city long lost replaced canals including canal river inconsistent flow banks times heavy rainfall gates unable regulate flow river swollen numerous creeks flowing higher ground making matters worse city river bed narrowed construction demographic pressure supports numerous bridges water flow caused water levels rise exacerbated accumulated waste dry periods water diverted needs populace city maintain water level canal left flow evacuate water leaving sewage garbage industrial waste dumped river accumulate water witness described little river world open air sewer spreading city early second half 19th century brussels saw numerous dry periods floods cholera epidemic caused river poverty lack water lower city forced governments province act attempts studies clean river date following years different commissions engineers assigned examine possible solutions dozens different ideas submitted completely proposed large amounts cleaner water rivers upstream greatly improving drainage system city proposals involved main course completely enlarged useful boat traffic mills considered sort impossible proposed covering greatly changing course proposal double size underground drainage tunnels creating space subterranean railroad tunnel idea ahead time implemented century later north south connection municipal council chose proposal architect submitted backing mayor plan involved suppressing secondary arm closing lesser gate main branch underground tunnels placed directly beneath long straight wide boulevard stretching greater gate church splitting branch head brussels north railway station present day square antwerp gate forming long narrow shape backing proposal calculated decision radical plans transform city saw proposal unexpected allowed accomplish goals long ambition transform impoverished lower city centre business commerce suitable modern capital wanted attract middle class left downtown cleaner suburbs including quarter called european quarter causing large loss tax revenue city elimination numerous dead ends lower town favour large straight wide open air boulevard linking rapidly growing train stations necessity opportunity city improve traffic circulation controversy opposition recently passed law allowing privately owned land government land greater good project speculative nature allowed land taken strictly necessary project city large lower town counting land profit project complete modern boulevard upper class neighbourhood selling land completion project seen way financing project poorer residents lower town forced away districts surrounding suburbs trouble upper classes displaced residents pay taxes right vote proposal officially adopted faced strong opposition project opposition came engineers felt covering incompatible brussels geology accumulate potentially dangerous gases able handle water prevent floods opposed project complained high taxes resulting high cost poor compensation seized property lack public input project press accused responsible brussels old town published numerous mocking liberal feared weakness government gave work covering river private british company english created task construction forced relinquish control city brussels scandal company director allegedly attempted steal million company barely kept office elections construction excluding important built adjacent suburbs covered section kilometres length constructed bricks covering consist parallel wide tunnels set lateral drainage pipes taking waste water respective street contract signed june houses completed months work began february technical difficulties delayed covering geology brussels bad engineers forecast scandal caused significant delay construction largely change control project completed municipal council opening reconstructed gates november new central series created project boulevard boulevard progressively opened traffic opening new routes offered efficient way lower town cramped streets des helped lower quarters town order accomplish attract investment public buildings constructed project including vast good example metallic architecture replaced open air markets torn monumental fountain break square abandoned budgetary reasons construction private buildings surrounding areas took place later middle class continued prefer living new suburbs cramped areas city center high prices land expected finance construction costs high means lower classes life apartments longer desirable residents brussels preferred live single family homes buildings constructed private citizens difficulty finding buyers builders incentive create elaborate appealing works architecture competition arranged buildings built january win prizes prize awarded designed den loosely nonetheless took years buildings line church built beginning 17th century baroque style remaining convent destroyed french revolutionaries having protestant church subsequently saw use concert hall commercial exchange post office center square church façade intended focal points new work cover river nearly surrounded church preserved integrity building great trouble expense church finally demolished style longer popular people presence unsuitable area church replaced fountain dedicated memory facade church preserved moved serve façade suburb diversion treatment original covering resolved problems flooding brussels old city case peripheral areas despite work canal drainage canal able completely stop floods regularly affected certain outer areas city group created objective channel subterranean tunnels nearly entire course brussels metropolitan area order expand benefits covering achieved old city centre course river changed central peripheral small ring project delayed war work north south connection finished disused channels central later facilitated construction north south line opened conversion existing tunnels metro tunnels ensured minimal disruption surface pipes served storm drains fountain transferred actual waste water completed 21st century stations built south station treats refuse water inhabitants water lies border north station completed march located near border canal near bridge portion cost adjacent municipalities lie flemish region station capable treating water inhabitants finally capable fully long caused pollution river
Covering of the Senne