Susan Holden: The establishment of the Flemish Government Architect parallels the re-establishment in Australia of the state and territory government architect positions in their current advisory mode. Can you tell me a bit more about your role?
Erik Wieërs: The Vlaams Bouwmeester started in 1999. Flanders was the first region in Belgium to establish a [government architect] role. We advise the Flemish Government and public authorities. Any part of government can come to us for advice. My position is a fixed five-year term. As part of the appointment process, each candidate produces a five-year plan of what you would do as Government Architect. So, an important part of my role is to bring this vision and agenda.
There are 16 people in my team as we speak, including architects, urbanists, and designers with other specializations such as landscape architects. We also have team members who specialize in making presentations and publications. Those communication roles are very important. My team all have ongoing contracts, so they will continue after my term finishes. Some of them have worked for the Vlaams Bouwmeester for many years – we
