Conclusion

This small area on the outskirts of Brussels contains a surprising amount of variety. This variety results from the combination of terrain, water, infrastructure, land use and small landscape elements, which together allow the area to be divided into three distinctive landscape types: the Hills, the Pastures and the Zenne. Water plays an especially important role in the landscape of the Zenne valley in Beersel. The lower areas are waterlogged in winter, leading to the digging of man-made ditches and the construction of water buffer infrastructure. The meandering Zenne River is also a prominent structuring element in the area, with tree rows along its banks helping to delimit one of the landscape types.

High-density and discordant infrastructure cuts through the landscape. It creates boundaries, noise and visual impact, but it does not erase the rural character of the study area. It also makes the area more accessible, with Beersel station providing a direct train connection to Brussels and the highway making car access straightforward.

While 360-degree photography made desktop-based landscape processing feasible, it did not replace repeated visits to the study area. These visits enabled more accurate mapping of the pastures, but also provided sensory information such as sound levels, accessibility and seasonal flooding.

Ultimately, the study area is not just a green space on the periphery of Brussels. It is a complex and diverse landscape where recreation, agriculture and residential needs come together.