Square Émile Vandervelde - Émile Vanderveldesquare

Square Émile Vandervelde is a modest, quiet public square in the Cureghem neighbourhood of Anderlecht, one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. It rarely appears in guidebooks about Brussels, but for the people who live around it, the square is a genuine local landmark woven into the dense, working-class fabric of this part of the city.

Who was the square named after?

The square carries the name of Émile Vandervelde, one of the most influential Belgian politicians of the early twentieth century. Vandervelde was a leading figure of the Belgian Labour Party, elected as a people's representative in 1894 and later serving as minister in successive Belgian governments. He is remembered in particular for a 1919 law bearing his name, aimed at curbing widespread alcoholism among the working class at a time when heavy drinking was a serious social problem. The day after his death in 1939, the municipal authorities of Anderlecht honoured him by dedicating this square to his memory. A commemorative monument to Vandervelde was only added later, in 1953.

What does the square look like today?

Square Émile Vandervelde sits next to another square named after a Belgian head of state, Square Albert I, and lies close to Chaussée de Mons, one of the more important roads linking central Anderlecht with the rest of Brussels. The Brussels-Capital Region has been carrying out redevelopment work here, aiming to turn these currently fragmented spaces – Square Vandervelde, Square Albert I and the area around Chaussée de Mons – into a single, coherent and better-designed public space. The goal of the project is to create a smoother, more legible pedestrian and cycling connection between the Cureghem district and the city centre, with more attention paid to greenery and the overall quality of the public realm for residents.

What is worth knowing about the surrounding area?

The square lies close to the Vandervelde metro station, which shares its name, making this part of Anderlecht easy to reach by public transport. Not far away stands the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, home ground of RSC Anderlecht, one of the most successful football clubs in Belgian history. For visitors exploring Anderlecht beyond its historic centre and town hall, a walk through Square Émile Vandervelde offers a glimpse of the authentic, residential side of the Cureghem district.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Émile Vandervelde? A Belgian socialist politician, elected as a people's representative in 1894 and a long-serving government minister, best known for a 1919 law restricting alcohol sales aimed at the working class.

When was the square named after him? In 1939, the day after Vandervelde's death, as a tribute from the municipal authorities of Anderlecht.

Is there a monument on the square? Yes, a monument dedicated to Émile Vandervelde was installed on the square in 1953.

What landmarks are nearby? The Vandervelde metro station and the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, home to football club RSC Anderlecht.

Is the square currently being redeveloped? Yes, works are underway to merge Square Vandervelde, Square Albert I and the area around Chaussée de Mons into one coherent public space connecting Cureghem with the city centre.