CIVA (architectural centre)

CIVA

Entrance of CIVA
Interactive fullscreen map
Established	8 March 2017;8 years ago (2017-03-08)
Location	Rue de l'Ermitage / Kluisstraat 55, 1050 Ixelles, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
Coordinates	50°49′44″N4°21′58″E / 50.82889°N 4.36611°E / 50.82889; 4.36611
Type	Architecture museum
Website	civa.brussels/en

CIVA, Centre for Information, Documentation and Exhibitions on the City, Architecture, Landscape and Urban Planning in the Brussels-Capital Region is a public research and cultural institution in Brussels, Belgium, devoted to architecture, urbanism, landscape, and ecological thinking. It encompasses an exhibition space, extensive archives, a specialised library, and a diverse programme of public outreach. Through exhibitions, debates, screenings, workshops, tours, and educational initiatives, CIVA fosters critical engagement with spatial culture.

History

In the 1960s and 1970s, Brussels underwent significant urban redevelopment known as Brusselisation, leading to the demolition of many historic neighbourhoods and the displacement of communities. This sparked grassroots activism among architects and urbanists, resulting in the creation of two key organisations: the Archives d'Architecture Moderne (AAM) and the Sint-Lukasarchief. These groups focused on documenting and preserving architectural heritage through protest materials, unrealised urban plans, architectural drawings, manifestos, and media archives, aiming to resist destructive urban planning. ^[1]

In 1988, the René Pechère Library was established as a specialised documentation centre dedicated to the history of botany and garden and landscape architecture. Founded by the landscape architect René Pechère  [ fr ], the library amassed a unique collection of over 10,000 works, including 200 rare and antique books dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Pechère, a passionate bibliophile, entrusted the management of this exceptional heritage to the Brussels-Capital Region to ensure public accessibility. ^[2]

In 1999, the Centre international pour la Ville, l'Architecture et le Paysage (CIVA) was officially established by the French Community Commission (COCOF). It brought together several non-profit organisations connected to architectural and landscape history, including the Archives de l'architecture Moderne, René Pechère Library, Paul Duvignaud Centre, and the Fonds pour l'architecture. ^[3]

Over the following years, CIVA expanded its role as a cultural and research institution. In 2015, it underwent an important organisational restructuring to unify its archival, educational, and exhibition activities under one foundation. This restructuring aimed to improve governance, foster collaboration among partners, and increase public accessibility. ^{[1] [4] [5]}

In 2016, the Brussels-Capital Region formally established CIVA as a public cultural centre by consolidating the resources and missions of AAM, Sint-Lukasarchief, and other heritage bodies. By early 2017, the Archives d'Architecture Moderne and Sint-Lukasarchief were fully integrated into the CIVA Foundation, marking a new chapter that combined decades of activist archives with a programme of exhibitions, research, and education. ^{[1] [6]}

References

1. "Een rijkdom aan archieven op 'Save/Change the city' in CIVA". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
2. Boonen, Martin (24 March 2023). "Bibliothèque René Pechère, le jardin des mille et une pages". L'Éventail (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
3. Duplat, Entretien: Guy (25 July 2025). "Le Civa nouveau est né". La Libre.be (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
4. "Civa: 'We brengen wat waardevol is, ongeacht de taal'". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
5. "Cocof verkoopt Civa aan Gewest". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
6. "Tweetaligheid als redding voor Sint-Lukasarchief". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 July 2025.