The Rue d'Aerschot (French) or Aarschotstraat (Dutch) is a street in the Schaerbeekmunicipality of Brussels, Belgium. It is known as a hotspot of the city's underground nightlife and famous for its brothels. The street is also known for its inexpensive lodging.
The Rue d'Aerschot is close to Brussels' city centre, and is adjacent to the Northern Quarterbusiness district (also called Little Manhattan), where the World Trade Center (WTC) is located. The street is located on the edge of the Turkish Quarter,[3] and next to Brussels-North railway station, one of the city's three main train stations. The station's buildings and tracks occupy the whole western side of the street. The rear entrance of the neoclassical Church of St. John and St. Nicholas is also located on the street.
The Rue d'Aerschot was laid out around 1839 when Brussels-North railway station on the Place Charles Rogier/Karel Rogierplein was constructed and the surrounding streets developed.[2] The station was originally called Cologne railway station (French: Gare de Cologne, Dutch: Keulenstation),[2] and the street the Rue de Cologne/Keulenstraat ("Cologne Street").[1]
After World War I, due to strong anti-German feelings in Belgium, many streets that were named after German towns or cities were renamed. The street was thus renamed the Rue d'Aerschot/Aarschotstraat ("Aarschot Street") after the town in Brabant, which had suffered heavily in the conflict.[1]
The North Station was rebuilt in 1953 a few hundred metres further north. Following the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), a major plan was devised to rebuild the Northern Quarter – the so-called Manhattan Project (not to be confused with the World War IIproject of the same name).[2][4] Work started to the west of the station, including the World Trade Center (WTC), in the 1960s.[2][4] Bankruptcy in the early 1970s prevented the implementation of the scheme to the east of the station, including the Rue d'Aerschot.[4]
Prostitutionedit
Prostitution in the Rue d'Aerschot is known to have existed before World War I.[1] In modern times, it has become the main red-light district in Brussels and has many "windows" that scantily dressed prostitutes sit in trying to attract trade. Most of the girls are Romanian or Bulgarian.[5]
In the 1990s, the area was controlled by Albanianpimps. There was often violence between rival pimps and girls complained to the police that the pimps were abusing and exploiting them. There was a crackdown and the criminal networks were broken down.[5]
The area is now controlled by Romanian and Bulgarian pimps. Each window has a madam who controls the prostitutes that work there. The madam takes 50% of the prostitute's earnings. Madams were traditionally older Belgian prostitutes but these have been replaced with mainly Bulgarian women who work for the pimps. This allows the pimps to stay out of the area and away from police attention. Often they remain in their home country.[5]
Although widely tolerated by police and local authorities, this neighbourhood has at times been a target of joint government/police efforts to track down human trafficking operatives, mostly aimed at breaking up criminal networks that lure young women from Central and Eastern European countries with the promise of a better life in Western Europe.
Non-profit associations also operate in the area, mainly women's groups providing support and counseling to prostitutes.
^ abcDen Tandt, Christophe (August 2002). "Brussels's "Manhattan Project:"The International Style and the Americanization of European Urban Space". Université Libre de Bruxelles. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
^ abcReinschmidt, Lena (June 2016). "Prostitution in Belgium: federal legislation and regulation at the local level" (PDF). Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
Bibliographyedit
De Vries, André (2003). Brussels: A Cultural and Literary History. Oxford: Signal Books. ISBN978-1-902669-46-5.
External linksedit
Media related to Rue d'Aerschot/Aarschotstraat, Schaerbeek at Wikimedia Commons
April 11, 2024
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The Rue d Aerschot French or Aarschotstraat Dutch is a street in the Schaerbeek municipality of Brussels Belgium It is known as a hotspot of the city s underground nightlife and famous for its brothels The street is also known for its inexpensive lodging Rue d Aerschot French Aarschotstraat Dutch Rear of the Church of St John and St Nicholas on the Rue d Aerschot AarschotstraatLocation within BrusselsShow map of BrusselsRue d Aerschot Belgium Show map of BelgiumFormer name s Rue de Cologne 1 LocationSchaerbeek Brussels Capital Region BelgiumCoordinates50 51 46 N 4 21 49 E 50 86278 N 4 36361 E 50 86278 4 36361ConstructionConstruction startc 1839 2 OtherKnown forBrussels North railway stationWindow prostitutionThe Rue d Aerschot is close to Brussels city centre and is adjacent to the Northern Quarter business district also called Little Manhattan where the World Trade Center WTC is located The street is located on the edge of the Turkish Quarter 3 and next to Brussels North railway station one of the city s three main train stations The station s buildings and tracks occupy the whole western side of the street The rear entrance of the neoclassical Church of St John and St Nicholas is also located on the street Contents 1 History 2 Prostitution 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksHistory editThe Rue d Aerschot was laid out around 1839 when Brussels North railway station on the Place Charles Rogier Karel Rogierplein was constructed and the surrounding streets developed 2 The station was originally called Cologne railway station French Gare de Cologne Dutch Keulenstation 2 and the street the Rue de Cologne Keulenstraat Cologne Street 1 After World War I due to strong anti German feelings in Belgium many streets that were named after German towns or cities were renamed The street was thus renamed the Rue d Aerschot Aarschotstraat Aarschot Street after the town in Brabant which had suffered heavily in the conflict 1 The North Station was rebuilt in 1953 a few hundred metres further north Following the 1958 Brussels World s Fair Expo 58 a major plan was devised to rebuild the Northern Quarter the so called Manhattan Project not to be confused with the World War II project of the same name 2 4 Work started to the west of the station including the World Trade Center WTC in the 1960s 2 4 Bankruptcy in the early 1970s prevented the implementation of the scheme to the east of the station including the Rue d Aerschot 4 Prostitution editProstitution in the Rue d Aerschot is known to have existed before World War I 1 In modern times it has become the main red light district in Brussels and has many windows that scantily dressed prostitutes sit in trying to attract trade Most of the girls are Romanian or Bulgarian 5 nbsp A portion of the street with red lights and prostitutes visibleIn the 1990s the area was controlled by Albanian pimps There was often violence between rival pimps and girls complained to the police that the pimps were abusing and exploiting them There was a crackdown and the criminal networks were broken down 5 The area is now controlled by Romanian and Bulgarian pimps Each window has a madam who controls the prostitutes that work there The madam takes 50 of the prostitute s earnings Madams were traditionally older Belgian prostitutes but these have been replaced with mainly Bulgarian women who work for the pimps This allows the pimps to stay out of the area and away from police attention Often they remain in their home country 5 Although widely tolerated by police and local authorities this neighbourhood has at times been a target of joint government police efforts to track down human trafficking operatives mostly aimed at breaking up criminal networks that lure young women from Central and Eastern European countries with the promise of a better life in Western Europe Non profit associations also operate in the area mainly women s groups providing support and counseling to prostitutes See also edit nbsp Belgium portalList of streets in Brussels History of Brussels Prostitution in Belgium Red light districts in Belgium Belgium in the long nineteenth centuryReferences editCitations edit a b c d d Othee Francois Janne 2016 Brussels Not your ordinary city in French Nevicata ISBN 978 2875231055 a b c d e FROM PLACE SOLVAY TO PLACE GAUCHERET INTERMINGLING AND REBIRTH OF AN AREA PDF Schaerbeek 11 October 2011 Retrieved 1 November 2017 De Vries 2003 p 247 a b c Den Tandt Christophe August 2002 Brussels s Manhattan Project The International Style and the Americanization of European Urban Space Universite Libre de Bruxelles Retrieved 1 November 2017 a b c Reinschmidt Lena June 2016 Prostitution in Belgium federal legislation and regulation at the local level PDF Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments in Europe Retrieved 1 November 2017 Bibliography edit De Vries Andre 2003 Brussels A Cultural and Literary History Oxford Signal Books ISBN 978 1 902669 46 5 External links edit nbsp Media related to Rue d Aerschot Aarschotstraat Schaerbeek at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rue d 27Aerschot amp oldid 1191270249, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
