The history of architecture is littered with examples of buildings that have sparked fierce controversy, stirred up strong emotions, and engaged people far beyond the circle of experts. The architecture that surrounds us shapes our attachment to our everyday environment, and it therefore seems natural that we should all take an interest. But how do we talk about architecture with the general public?

One of the lessons from the Visitatie (a collective reflection on the role of the Brussels City Architect, see p. 16) is that Belgian architectural policies are beginning to bear fruit. There is an undeniable qualitative leap, and a growing awareness that echoes a broader international trend (from the Davos Declaration to the New European Bauhaus). The cultural recognition of a distinct Belgian scene is becoming increasingly clear. We would therefore seem to be on the right track.