Unappreciated and derelict for many years, the area along the canal has recently become the centre of attention. How will the city be rebuilt there? The choices include a return to a “traditional” city (such as the proposal to demolish and rebuild the Rempart des Moines social housing), the re-use of existing buildings (such as the renovation of the Brunfaut tower) or the drawing of a new skyline along the canal (such as the “bunch” of towers at  Porte de Ninove). What are the processes that led to the choices of these different forms of urban development?