Jabbeke (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Jabbeke is improving its village centre with a project led by Alderman Chris Bourgois. They bought two houses for public space, costing hundreds of thousands of euros. The plan includes opening the Jabbekebeek stream, adding cafes, and creating a spot for locals and visitors.
The municipality of Jabbeke has started a new project to make the village centre better and more open. This project will focus on the Jabbekebeek stream. Chris Bourgois, who is the alderman for Buildings and Local Economy, mentioned that this project builds on earlier work.
According to Chris Bourgois, in 2024, they reinforced the stream’s banks on the other side of the square. He said that the chance to expand these plans came when two houses near the church were on sale. The municipality saw the potential in this area and quickly bought both houses. This will allow them to use the space for the benefit of the public.
“We have wanted to create more openness in the village centre of Jabbeke for a while now and the opened-up Jabbekebeek fits into the plans,”
Says Chris Bourgois.
What changes will the Jabbekebeek stream bring to Jabbeke?
According to authorities, the houses were recently taken down in Jabbeke. The workers had to be careful because the houses were next to other homes. They wanted to make sure not to damage the nearby buildings. Now, there is a large open area in the centre of the village where the houses used to be. This new space is larger than anyone expected.
The Jabbekebeek stream in Jabbeke is still being worked on. It is not clear when it will be completed. Chris Bourgois believes the stream runs right under where the two houses used to be. They need to check the plans to find out the exact path of the stream. He mentioned that the stream is inside a tube. The municipality needs to figure out the best way to open it up and connect it to the new open space.
Bourgois mentioned that they want to show as much of the Jabbekebeek as possible, but they will not risk the safety or the strength of the buildings. Each step will be checked closely to prevent any problems. He highlights that in this way, the stream can be shown in a way that makes the village centre better without causing any issues.
According to Alderman Chris Bourgois, they want to make the square a good place for people to meet. They hope to attract new cafés and restaurants where people can enjoy food and drinks by the water. He mentioned that the flowing water, open space, and possible dining spots will create a beautiful place that brings people together and builds community.
The project is a big investment for the municipality, costing several hundred thousand euros. Alderman Bourgois believes this spending is important for a project of this size. Bourgois calls it “an investment for eternity.” He mentioned that the square will be a key part of Jabbeke, mixing natural beauty with useful public space.
