#urbanlandscapes2026
The Société royale d’Archéologie de Bruxelles (SRAB - Royal Archaeological Society of Brussels), whose activities are subsidised by the Region and which plays an active role in implementing regional policies on preventive archaeology and inventorying movable heritage, has been tasked with organising, in Brussels, the 12th conference of the Association des Cercles francophones d’Histoire et d’Archéologie de Belgique (59th conference of the Fédération des Cercles d’Archéologie et d’Histoire de Belgique - Federation of the Archaeology and History Circles of Belgium).
This scientific event, which is open to both laymen and professionals, will take place at the Belgian Royal Academy, from Thursday 20 until Sunday 23 August 2026, and will feature around twenty presentations showcasing the research carried out by Urban’s teams and its scientific partners.
Practical information
- From 20 until 23 August 2026
- At the Palais des Académies, Rue Ducale 1, 1000 Brussels
- By prior booking only: €60/€30
- The communication is mainly in French
A conference steeped in history
Since 1885, the conferences of the association, which was initially known as the ‘Fédération archéologique et historique de Belgique’ (Federation of the Archaeology and History Circles of Belgium), have brought together enthusiasts, researchers and scholarly associations around a common goal: bringing the history, archaeology and heritage of our regions to life. In 1978, several history and archaeology societies from Wallonia and Brussels formed the Association des cercles francophones d’histoire et d’archéologie de Belgique (ACfHAB - Association of the French-speaking History and Archaeology Circles of Belgium). Its main activity is organising a conference every four years and publishing its proceedings, following a provincial rotation. Following Nivelles in 1984 and Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve in 2004, it is now Brussels’ turn to host the conference for the former Brabant province.
A scientific event dedicated to heritage
The scientific programme consists of twelve thematic sections: archaeology, political, military and international history, economic and social history, institutional and legal history, the history of religions and philosophical movements, the history of science and technology, environmental and spatial planning history, genealogy and family history, the history of the arts and of oral and intangible heritage, folklore, archives and libraries, movable heritage and museums.
More than fifty previously unpublished presentations deal with a topic related to Brussels.
Each presentation, followed by a discussion, provides an opportunity for genuine exchanges in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, which makes these conferences, which are open to everyone, so enriching.
What makes this event so unique is also its inclusive nature: students presenting their dissertations, PhD students outlining their thesis projects, established researchers as well as local scholars… It is exactly this cross-pollination between views and expertise that forges a living history, rooted in the regions and communities that shape it.
Urban is playing an active role in the Brussels conference by presenting its latest research in the field of urban heritage.
