Véronique Claessens appointed as new Flemish Government Architect

The Flemish Government has appointed a new Chief Architect for the next five years. Véronique Claessens will take up the position on 1 October 2025. Claessens is a civil engineer-architect and spatial planner and, as director of the Spatial Planning Department at the City of Genk, has gained extensive experience in urban development and public commissioning.  

Véronique Claessens is a passionate spatial planner, driven by spatial processes and urban renewal. She has been actively involved in Genk’s spatial policy and urban development for more than fifteen years, first as head of the spatial planning and housing department, and since 2014 as director of the Spatial Planning Department. Recent projects in Genk that she has helped to manage include the redevelopment of the Winterslag mining site, the development of the cultural and artistic hotspot C-mine and the modernist neighbourhoods of Sledderlo and Kolderbos, the transition of the old garden suburb of Waterschei into a climate neighbourhood of the future, and the strengthening of various green-blue structures.  

Claessens focuses on devising policy and spatial responses to social challenges and on managing and implementing innovative spatial programmes and urban renewal projects. She always starts from an analysis and a strong vision of high-quality urban development and architecture. She is particularly fascinated by the Flemish spatial context with its typical challenges around densification, sustainability and urbanisation. Her interest and network in various Flemish and regional structures breathed new life into the local policy she worked on for her own city of Genk.  

Véronique Claessens previously gained experience at an architectural firm in Hasselt and made the leap to urban design as a consultant at a research agency. Earlier this year, Véronique Claessens was appointed Fellow of the Faculty of Architecture and Art at Hasselt University.

The central mission of the Chief Architect is to promote the architectural quality of the built environment. The Chief Architect and the team assist public clients in the design and realisation of buildings, public spaces, landscapes and infrastructure. In addition, the Flemish Chief Architect contributes to vision development and reflection on architectural quality, high-quality design and construction in contemporary society. The Chief Architect acts as an advisor to the entire Flemish Government. Véronique Claessens succeeds Erik Wieërs, who stepped down on 30 June.