Local Geographies of Global Players: International Law Firms in Brussels¹

Moving In/Out of Brussels' Historical Core in the Early 2000s: Migration and the Effects of Gentrification

“…However, Brussels has gained a considerable international visibility parallel to the setting up of the core executive and administrative bodies of the European Union (EU) in the city. This has led to the concentration of a large set of transnational activities in one part of the eastern inner city-the Leopold quarter, now more commonly referred to as the 'EU district'-and the wider urban area, including a vast array of region, city or state representation offi ces, international (non-) governmental organisations, lobbyists, subsidiaries of foreign-based fi nancial, law or consultancy fi rms (Baeten, 2001a;Elmhorn, 2001;van Criekingen et al, 2005).…”

Interdisciplinary research and geography: Overcoming barriers through proximity

“…For instance, the importance of presence in Brussels is crucial for actors seeking to influence EU regulation (Mitchell 1995;Ferguson 1998;Van Criekingen, et al 2005). As noted by Van Criekingen, et al (2005), geographical presence in Brussels is absolutely required as it provides access to strategic unofficial information and networking with relevant EU officials. This reflects the general importance of informal relations, which have been found to provide access to influencing decisions by policymakers (Furlong 1997).…”

Globalization and Social Dualization, under an Institutional Constraint: The Brussels-Capital Case

“…One can also add the development of a series of smaller offices, occupying what were once upper-class residences, along the Avenue Louise, a mid-nineteenth century prestigious avenue linking the south-east of the 'pentagon' to the Bois de la Cambre, which was laid out as a fashionable park at the time. These small offices are often occupied by professionals, in particular lawyers (Van Criekingen et al, 2005). Further, decentralized offices developed in the affluent suburbs of the south-eastern part of the region from the end of the 1960s, often along the main avenues.…”