Mosques in Belgium: Spatial Distribution, Agglomeration Patterns and Underserved Areas

[en] Mosques play a central role in the organization of Muslim communities and the structuring of urban spaces. This study explores the socio-spatial elements associated with mosque locations in Belgium and highlights the disparities in their geographical coverage, particularly the lack of mosques in certain areas, at different scales. A binary logistic regression model was used. The results confirm that the presence of Muslim populations is a variable strongly associated with mosque presence. In addition, a tendency for mosques to cluster has been observed, with mosques tending to be located close to pre-existing mosques. Located in residential areas, close to facilities such as schools and shopping centers, they contribute to the transformation of these areas into veritable urban ecosystems, where religious practices, community activities, and economic dynamics converge, redefining physical and symbolic centralities. The model developed in this study also identified areas lacking mosques, mostly located on the periphery of historic urban centers, often urbanized at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. This article provides an analytical framework for better understanding the local dynamics of mosque locations in urban environments. It reveals new perspectives for urban planning and the socio-spatial comprehension of Islamic places of worship.

Disciplines :

Arts & humanities: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

El Boujjoufi, Mohamed ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering

Saadi Ismail; University of Cambridge > Public Health Modelling Group (PHM)

Torrekens Corinne; ULB - Université Libre de Bruxelles > Research Group on Ethnic Relations, Migration and Equality (GERME)

Teller, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo > LEMA (Local environment management and analysis)

Language :

English

Title :

Mosques in Belgium: Spatial Distribution, Agglomeration Patterns and Underserved Areas

Publication date :

02 April 2026

Journal title :

Cities

ISSN :

0264-2751

eISSN :

1873-6084

Publisher :

Elsevier

Volume :

174

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1mswFy5jP0YEL

Available on ORBi :

since 02 April 2026

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