Knokke, the coastal city, is determined to maintain its status as the most stylish city in Belgium, two years after the death of Leopold Lippens. The local authorities have implemented new measures aimed at improving the aesthetics of the city. The ban on walking bare-chested in the streets and listening to music on the beaches were instituted, along with strict rules concerning the facades of dwellings. The city has also prohibited the use of “V” shaped real estate signs on the ground floor of dwellings that are for sale or rent, and photovoltaic panels must be identical, with the agreement of the municipality, for apartments or houses. Some critics believe these measures are a form of “communism,” but Piet De Groote, the mayor of Knokke, insists that there is a lot of freedom and just a few values to respect.
Two years after the death of Leopold Lippens, Knokke intends to remain the most “chic” city in the country. And for this, the local authorities have taken new decisions aimed at taking care of the aesthetics of the coastal city.
After the ban on walking bare-chested in the streets of Knokke, after the ban on listening to music on the beaches, after the numerous measures concerning the facades of dwellings (etc.), two new rules have recently entered in force.
The first targets… real estate billboards. Indeed, it is now forbidden to display a real estate sign in the shape of a “V” on the ground floor of dwellings that are for sale or for rent. Only “flat” panels are now allowed.
And that’s not all. The Belang van Limburg has indeed learned that the owners of apartments or houses who want to install photovoltaic panels must do so with the agreement of the municipality since the local authorities want all the panels to be identical.
Critics following these measures are well underway. Some speak of “communism”. “On the contrary, there is a lot of freedom here… but there are just a few values to respect”, retorts Piet De Groote, the mayor of Knokke in the columns of Belang van Limburg.
In conclusion, Knokke is determined to maintain its status as the most fashionable coastal city in the country. With new regulations in place, the local authorities are focused on preserving the aesthetic of the area. Bans on walking bare-chested and listening to music on beaches, as well as rules regarding the facades of dwellings, have been apparent for some time. Recently, two new rules have emerged, prohibiting real estate billboards in the shape of a “V” and requiring approval to install photovoltaic panels. While some critics have voiced concerns, Mayor Piet De Groote insists that the area remains one of freedom, with just a few values to uphold.