The development of Maastricht after 1800

Abstract

The architectural history of a city consists in a returning exchange of influences between the city itself and its architecture. Up to the 19th century a gradual internal development determinated the character of the city and returning processes of changing leave their traces. The identity of the city is a source of knowledge concerning the past and the future of the city.

Since 1800 cities have a larger need for control on the urban development, Maastricht has always been an important merchant- and fortified city. It is a unique city because of the fact that from 1350 the internal urban space was not enlarged. Only the fortifications were further improved and internal improvements were kept restricted to the architecture.

During the French period, 1794-1815, a beginning industrial development was made possible by using the confiscated clerical areas for this purpose. Until 1867 Maastricht kept the status of a fortified city. Canals and railroads after 1830 however, together with an internal industrial development, caused a growing pressure on the city and in 1867 the fortress of Maastricht officially lost its defensive function.

The city did not have any complete plan of enlargement, and after 1867 some areas were developed separately, among them the railway-station area. Industrial development took place in the Wycker-side of the city, east of the Meuse River in a small area. After 1918 finally came the possibility for an integrated enlargement of the city by taking over the neighbour communities and villages. Even nowadays the differences between the old city and the surrounding area are very remarkable.