The basic unit of local government in Belgium, of which there are 19 in the Brussels Capital Region, is the commune (commune, gemeente). The modern commune dates from 1795 with the establishment of the French regime, but the ancient liberties and right to self-government that are the foundation of local government have their beginnings in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Each commune is headed by a burgomaster, who, with the aldermen, comprise the executive authority. A directly elected council is the legislative body. In each commune, a secretary oversees and coordinates administrative services and a receiver directs financial management. Both are appointed posts. Each communal government is required to organize a public school, maintain local roads, and operate a social assistance bureau (Centre Publique d'Aide social/Openbaar Centrum voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn). Communes are also charged with responsibility for police and fire services, water supplies, town planning, and libraries. They can and do take up initiatives in many other fields, including culture, youth and senior citizens' services, sports, tourism, economic development, and some social services beyond the social welfare requirement.
See also Anderlecht; Auderghem; Berchem-Sainte-Agathe; Etterbeek; Evere; Forest; Ganshoren; Ixelles; Jette; Koekelberg; Molenbeek-Saint-Jean; Saint-Gilles; Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode; Schaerbeek; Uccle; Watermael-Boitsfort; Woluwe-Saint-Lambert; Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.
The Nineteen Communes of the Brussels Capital Region
Commune Area (sq. km) Population
Anderlecht/Anderlecht 17.7 87,920 (1995)
Auderghem/Ouderghem 10.5 28,964 (2000)
Berchem-Sainte-Agathe/
Sint-Agathe-Berchem 2.9 19,033 (2001)
Bruxelles/Brussel 32.6 133,859 (2000)
Etterbeek/Etterbeek 3.1 39,370 (2000)
Evere/Evere 5.0 30,314 (1997)
Forest/Vorst 6.2 45,577 (1995)
Ganshoren/Ganshoren 2.5 20,140 (2001)
Ixelles/Elsene 31.0 72,461 (1998)
Jette/Jette 5.0 38,855 (1995)
Koekelberg/Koekelberg 1.2 16,334 (2000)
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean/
Sint-Jans-Molenbeek 5.9 73,696 (2001)
Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis 2.5 44,053 (2001)
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode/
Sint-Josse-ten-Noode 1.1 22,319 (2000)
Schaerbeek/Schaarbeek 8.1 106,642 (2000)
Uccle/Ukkel 22.9 74,592 (2000)
Watermael-Boitsfort/
Watermaal-Bosvoorden 12.9 24,543 (1995)
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert/
Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe 7.2 47,077 (2000)
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre/
Sint-Pieters-Woluwe 8.9 37,741 (2000)
Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Paul F. State.