Gent Mayor Leads Europe’s Urban Future.. Driving Solutions for 150 Million Residents

Gent Mayor Shapes Europe's Urban Future for 150 Million Residents

Eurocities has a new Belgian chair, Mayor Mathias De Clercq, poised to influence Europe’s urban agenda from Braga, Portugal, sparking local pride and curiosity.

Marie Dupont6 June 2025Last Update : 15 hours ago

Burgemeester Gent is nieuwe voorzitter Europese stedenkoepel: "Oplossingen zoeken voor 150 miljoen stedelingen"

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Gent’s role in European urban policy takes a significant leap as the city’s mayor, Mathias De Clercq, has been elected chairman of Eurocities. This key development in urban governance was announced on 2025-06-06 14:39:00, marking a proud moment for Belgium on the continental stage. Eurocities, the influential network of major European cities, works closely with the EU to address common urban challenges and secure vital funding.

6 Key Takeaways

Gent krijgt eer als Eurocities-voorzitter
Mathias De Clercq verkozen in Braga
Eurocities bespreekt stedelijke problemen met Europa
Organisatie werkt aan Europese fondsenwerving
De Clercq versterkt invloed op agenda
Hij was eerder ondervoorzitter van Eurocities

Mayor De Clercq, who was previously the vice-chair, now leads the organisation from Braga, Portugal. His new position allows Gent to have a stronger voice in shaping the European agenda on urban issues. How will this influence Belgium’s cities? And what urban priorities will Gent champion next?

With this leadership role, Gent is poised to steer discussions on sustainable city development, infrastructure funding, and social inclusion across Europe. This sets the stage for greater Belgian involvement in European urban initiatives.

Fast Answer: Gent’s mayor Mathias De Clercq has been elected Eurocities chairman, boosting Belgium’s influence in EU urban policymaking and funding opportunities for Belgian cities.

What does this mean for Belgian cities and their future? De Clercq’s chairmanship signals a stronger Belgian presence in European urban affairs, allowing Gent and other Belgian cities to:

Advocate more effectively for urban funding from the EU
Shape policies on sustainability, mobility, and social equity
Collaborate with other major European cities on shared challenges
Elevate Gent’s profile as a leader in innovative city governance

This leadership role highlights Belgium’s growing importance within European urban networks, offering new opportunities for local projects and partnerships.

Looking ahead, Belgian cities should watch closely as Gent’s mayor leverages this platform to unlock new resources and influence EU urban strategies. Will this new chairmanship inspire other Belgian cities to engage more deeply with European initiatives? The coming months will reveal how this leadership can translate into tangible benefits for Belgium’s urban communities.