Landbouwbelang (squat)


Landbouwbelang is an industrial building in Maastricht, Netherlands. It offers working space for artists and social entrepreneurs and functions as a venue for cultural events. It has been squatted since April 2002.
Landbouwbelang is located in the Boschstraatkwartier neighbourhood, on the bank of river Maas and next to the production site of a paper manufacturer Sappi.

History

It was constructed in 1939 for processing and storaging cereals by Vereniging Landbouwbelang Roermond. The cereal processing activities ceased in the 1970s and the building was acquired by the neighbouring paper mill until being purchased by the City of Maastricht.
The space served as a venue for events before becoming squatted on 6 April 2002. Landbouwbelang reported 10 000 annual visitors in 2015. Several artists, designers and social entrepreneurs have their working spaces at Landbouwbelang.
Even despite of the Dutch squatting ban in 2009, getting the squatters removed requires an eviction court order. In order to have that granted, the owner of the building needs to present a development plan for the squatted building. According to the communication of the City of Maastricht there are currently none.

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