The project group “Re-building Brussels: the construction sector as an engine for social inclusion and circularity (1695-2025)” aims to challenge this understanding by exploring the central role of construction in our cities. As an interdisciplinary research team, they draw on the (archival) work of architectural engineers, historians, and urban geographers. Amidst the subject’s importance in today’s circular transition, Re-building Brussels is organising the workshop "Laborious work? Inequality, inclusion, and circularity in the urban construction sector (18th century-present)". This workshop aims to better understand the relationship between urbanization and socioeconomic inequalities.

They pose the central question: What role does the construction sector play in tackling urban inequalities and contributing to local labour market inclusion? Their objective is to question the degree to which construction labour markets intensify inequalities or work towards inclusion, by assessing both (historical) inequalities among occupations, and its present accessibility to diverse social groups. In its wider social role in the city, they ask about decent work conditions, the redistribution of social benefits, and ultimately its role and embeddedness as a fundamental sector within circular cities visions.

To find answers to these pressing questions, they invite four international specialists (historians, urban geographers, and spatial planners) who have developed research on salaries, contracts in the 19th century and on social redistribution and productive industries in the contemporary circular city.

Further information and registration: karoline.da.silva.rodrigues@vub.be