Creating places of distinction spatial conditions for climate policies in Flanders

Climate-related challenges are forcing a systemwide spatial reorganisation of Europe’s metropolitan areas. The region of Flanders is an excellent example of this mission. This article explores opportunities for a new mode of spatial organisation in an extremely sprawled urban region. The challenges for a climate-neutral built environment, energy supply and accessibility can be addressed more effectively by integrating mobility and transport policies in a polycentric interconnected urban system of distinct places. Although this article discusses the Flemish case and its historical particularities, our recommendations also benefit other sprawled regions in Europe.