Charleroi faces urban decay following industrial decline

The Belgian city of Charleroi, once a prosperous hub for coal, glass, and steel industries, is currently facing significant urban decay. Many streets, such as Rue de Mons, are characterized by abandoned shops, crumbling facades, and accumulated waste.

Despite the visible decline, the city retains architectural remnants of its former wealth, including Art Deco and Modernist details like colorful mosaics and ornate window frames. Notable landmarks include the city hall with its 70-meter bell tower and the ‘University of Work’.

Artist Nicolas Buissart leads excursions through the city to highlight its sympathetic qualities amidst the industrial ruins and economic challenges that began in the 1970s.