Gent has introduced a new ban on overnight constructions in its historic city centre to address growing concerns about homelessness and public disturbance. This measure, effective from 2025-06-07 18:00:00, targets makeshift camps set up by homeless individuals in prominent shopping streets like the Korenmarkt and Langemunt.
- Gent bans overnight homeless encampments downtown
- Mayor De Clercq enforces hygiene and safety
- Police authorized to remove camps and materials
- Complaints arise from residents and shopkeepers
- Measure targets structures, not presence or begging
- Overcrowding causes unacceptable neighborhood pressure
The city’s mayor, Mathias De Clercq, has issued a decree prohibiting these “kampementen” to restore order, hygiene, and safety in the area. But how will this impact both the homeless population and local businesses? And can this approach balance compassion with community well-being?
Before exploring these questions, here is a concise overview of the new regulation and its implications for Gent’s historic centre.
Is this ban the right solution for Gent’s homelessness challenges? While it aims to improve public order, it raises questions about support for vulnerable groups. Key points to consider include:
- The ban focuses solely on overnight shelters, not on the presence of homeless individuals themselves.
- Police are now authorised to dismantle camps and remove materials causing hygiene issues.
- Local businesses and residents have voiced frustration over the increasing pressure on the neighbourhood.
- Previous attempts to encourage voluntary clearing of camps met resistance and occasional aggression.
Looking ahead, Gent must monitor the effects of this ban carefully to ensure it reduces nuisance without marginalising those in need. Could enhanced social services alongside enforcement offer a more sustainable path forward?
