Editing Flémalle (section)

== Urban planning ==

=== Urban morphology ===

==== Urban fabric ====
The center of Flémalle is part of the continuous urban fabric of Liège, extending from [[Herstal]] to the village of Chokier. Almost the entire territory is part of this urban fabric, except for Awirs, Gleixhe, En Cowa, Ramioul, and Gros-Chêne, which are separate. Most of Flémalle's institutions are located in the center, mainly along the Grand'Route. These include the post office (formerly the finance building),<ref>{{Cite web |language=en |first=DH Les |last=Sports+ |title=Flémalle: The police in the old finance building! |url=https://www.dhnet.be/regions/liege/la-police-dans-l-ancien-batiment-des-finances-5ff34ad3d8ad5844d13ee6a9 |website=DH Les Sports + |date=5 January 2021 |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref> the town hall, as well as the main commercial arteries and industrial hubs, while the police station of the zone of Flémalle is located near National Road 677, north of Trixhes. This neighborhood forms a separate urban fabric, with high levels of urbanization.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr-FR |title=Le plateau des Trixhes à Flémalle, Décodage sur le terrain : Compte-rendu |url=https://www.iew.be/le-plateau-des-trixhes-a-flemalle-decodage-sur-le-terrain-compte-rendu/ |website=Inter-Environnement Wallonie – IEW |date=8 February 2018 |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref>
[[File:Flémalle Grande - Casa de la Vila.jpg|thumb|The former town hall when Flémalle-Grande was a separate municipality before 1977. Today, the building is used by both the municipality and the region.]]
Before the 1977 merger of Belgian municipalities, the current municipal sections were separate communes, which is why after the merger, institutions like [[library|libraries]] were numerous and spread across the territory. Today, everything has been centralized (two libraries, including a main one<ref group="SC" name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Bibliothèques |url=http://www.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/125/lang/fr |website=flemalle.be |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref>). There are still old buildings that once served as town halls. The Chokier district is easily recognizable by its history and architecture. It is often cited as one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Élisez le plus beau village de Wallonie: Chokier parmi les 60 villages sélectionnés! (vidéo et photos) |url=https://www.sudinfo.be/id215970/article/2020-07-04/elisez-le-plus-beau-village-de-wallonie-chokier-parmi-les-60-villages |website=sudinfo.be |date=4 July 2020 |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref> The Awirs district is also distinctive, with its castle. The [[Cultural Center]] and the main sports and charitable institutions are located south of the Trixhes district.

==== Land Use ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+[[Land use]] (percentage) as of 1 January 2020, compared to the province of Liège and Wallonia.
!Land Use Type
!Flémalle
!Province
!Wallonia
|-
|Share of artificial land area
|27.7%
|12.9%
|10.7%
|-
|Share of residential land
|18.6%
|7.6%
|6.5%
|-
|Share of land occupied by commerce, offices, and services
|0.7%
|0.3%
|0.3%
|-
|Share of land occupied by [[public service]]s and community facilities
|1.9%
|1.6%
|1.1%
|-
|Share of land for recreational use and urban green spaces
|0.4%
|0.6%
|0.6%
|-
|Share of land occupied by agricultural buildings
|0.4%
|0.8%
|0.6%
|-
|Share of land for industrial and artisanal use
|4.1%
|1.4%
|1%
|-
|Share of quarries, landfills, and abandoned spaces
|0.3%
|0.2%
|0.2%
|-
|Share of transport infrastructure
|1%
|0.5%
|0.4%
|-
|Share of other artificial spaces
|0.1%
|0.1%
|0%
|-
|Share of [[arable land]] and permanent crops
|20.7%
|22.2%
|28.5%
|-
|Share of grasslands and fallow agricultural land
|19.8%
|27.2%
|23.2%
|-
|Share of forests
|15.4%
|28.4%
|29.3%
|-
|Share of semi-natural environments
|5.6%
|2.4%
|2.5%
|-
|Share of [[wetland]]s
|0%
|1.1%
|0.3%
|-
|Share of water surfaces
|0%
|0.2%
|0.2%
|-
|Share of land of unknown nature (including uncategorized land)
|10.7%
|5.7%
|5.2%
|-
| colspan="4" |Source: Iweps – WalStat (The portal for local statistical information in Wallonia)<ref name="+1">{{Cite web |last=IWEPS |title=Catalogue of statistical indicators – WALSTAT |url=http://walstat.iweps.be/walstat-catalogue.php |website=walstat.iweps.be |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref>
|}

The table above shows that the municipality is highly urbanized, with an artificial land area and residential land nearly three times higher than those of Wallonia. Services, offices, and commerce also occupy a significant portion of the municipality. In the center of Flémalle, there are several large retailers ([[Delhaize]], [[Lidl]], [[Aldi]]), as well as two shopping centers, one to the east of the center,<ref group="SC" name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Flémalle Shopping |url=http://economie.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/788/lang/fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113202107/http://economie.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/788/lang/fr |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2016 |website=economie.flemalle.be |access-date=2021-02-25 }}.</ref> near Jemeppe, and a smaller one to the west of the center at Chaffours. Despite the significantly higher share of residential land compared to the Walloon and provincial averages, recreational areas and green spaces take up less space.

The industrial share is four times higher, which can be explained by the two [[ArcelorMittal]] centers<ref group="SC" name=":4">{{Cite web |title=ARCELORMITTAL – CENTRE ACIER |url=http://economie.flemalle.be/directories/index/detail/directory_item_id/765/lang/fr |website=economie.flemalle.be |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref> located on the left and right banks of the [[Meuse (river)|Meuse]] and of considerable size, as well as the presence of three major industrial hubs: the Les Cahottes Economic Activity Park,<ref name="ca">{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Les Cahottes (Flémalle) |url=http://www.spi.be/fr/zoning/view/22/les-cahottes-flemalle |website=spi.be |access-date=2021-02-25 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120012823/http://www.spi.be/fr/zoning/view/22/les-cahottes-flemalle |url-status=dead }}.</ref> the Arbre Saint-Michel Economic Activity Park,<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Arbre Saint-Michel (Flémalle) |url=http://www.spi.be/fr/zoning/view/46/arbre-saint-michel-flemalle |website=spi.be |access-date=2021-02-25 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120010532/http://www.spi.be/fr/zoning/view/46/arbre-saint-michel-flemalle |url-status=dead }}.</ref> and the Ramet Industrial Park.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=IVOZ-RAMET (Economic Activity Zone) |url=http://www.bspace.be/fr/spi/parc/ivoz-ramet/822 |website=BSpace.be – Wallonia: The place born to b |access-date=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

Despite the high urbanization of the municipality, agriculture occupies a significant portion of the land. Although it is less than the provincial and regional average, when comparing the municipality's share to that of Liège or the municipalities in the Liège agglomeration, Flémalle stands out.

Finally, the share of forests is significantly lower, almost half the Walloon average, which can be explained by increasing urbanization, the expansion of economic hubs, and agriculture, leaving little room for forests. Most of them are located in the south and west of the municipality.

=== Housing ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Buildings by year of construction (percentage) as of 1 January 2020, compared to the Province of Liège and Wallonia.
!Year of Construction
!Flémalle
!Province
!Wallonia
|-
|Share of buildings constructed before 1900
|21.9%
|23.4%
|27.7%
|-
|Share of buildings constructed between 1901 and 1918
|10%
|9.8%
|9.7%
|-
|Share of buildings constructed between 1919 and 1945
|11.9%
|12.2%
|11%
|-
|Share of buildings constructed after 1945
|56.2%
|54.6%
|51.6%
|-
| colspan="4" |Source: Iweps – WalStat (The local statistical information portal for Wallonia)<ref name="+1" />
|}
The share of buildings constructed before the end of [[World War II]] (1945) varies greatly between western and eastern Belgium. This is explained by the fact that the [[Province of Liège]] often found itself as the first city to face the [[Bundeswehr|German armed forces]].

Flémalle is one of the municipalities with the highest proportion of buildings constructed between 1946 and 1961 (20.9%), whereas the regional average is no higher than 10.8%. This post-war construction phenomenon is found throughout the Liège region.

This construction trend continued between 1962 and 1970 with 11.5% of buildings erected compared to 7.7% for Wallonia. Since then, construction has decreased in Flémalle and the Liège region. The municipalities in the [[countryside]] have experienced a period of construction from the early 1970s to the present day, particularly in the [[Province of Luxembourg]]. This phenomenon is not limited to the Liège region but also occurs in [[Charleroi]], [[Namur]], [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]], and other major Walloon cities.

The proportion of buildings and [[apartment building]]s among the housing stock stands at 15.5%. This proportion is expected to increase in the coming years due to the Flémalle-Neuve development project. This share is almost equal to the Walloon average (16.3%).

The Liège region, including Flémalle, has one of the highest proportions of [[terraced house]]s among the housing stock in Wallonia. These houses were often former workers' homes from the coal mining industry during the [[industrial revolution]] and the operation of various mines and [[Quarry|quarries]].

In 2001, the municipality had 10,757 housing units for 25,777 inhabitants.<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />

==== Architecture ====
[[File:Chateau d'Aigremont.JPG|thumb|The entrance to the Château d'Aigremont. Note the characteristic architectural feature of the red bricks.]]
Liège architecture is distinguished by the [[Rhineland|Rhenish]] [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and [[Mosan art|Mosane style]]. The Château d'Aigremont is a beautiful example, in [[Louis XIV style]] but mixing the Mosane style with the red bricks found at the [[Grand Curtius]], another specimen of the Mosane style.

The Chokier district has a well-preserved architectural heritage similar to what is found in most important Walloon villages.

The Trixhes represent a new architectural style of the 20th century, the [[Modernism|modernist style]].

=== Development Projects ===
The municipality is looking to the future with Flémalle 2030. Among the revitalization projects:

* Renovation of the Grand'Route and its two projects.<ref group="SC" name=":5">{{cite web |title=Master-Plan |url=http://citoyen.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/1096/lang/en |website=citoyen.flemalle.be |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

The first project, Flémalle-Centre, aims to revitalize the municipal park, the green lung of the town center, as well as create a new public space at the Athénée Provincial Guy Lang and the Tubemeuse polyclinic (Bois de l'Abbaye Hospital), located across from each other. This project includes the creation and reorganization of parking areas, with the initial offer being very limited. This will enhance the town center where schools, shops, the library, the socio-economic center, municipal administrations, the Flémalle-Centre police station, the municipal park, and the [[fire station]] are located.

The second project, concerning Flémalle-Grande, will revitalize the S. Donnay square, the "Flémalle Shopping" shopping center, and parking areas.

* Flémalle-Neuve

This project aims to redevelop an area behind the Tubemeuse and includes the creation of 238 housing units (184 apartments and 54 houses), a new municipal school, and new offices as well as [[Small and medium-sized enterprises|SMEs]].<ref>{{cite web |language=en |title="A nine-story tower, future landmark of the Flémalle-Neuve district |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_a-nine-story-tower-future-landmark-of-the-flemalle-neuve-district?id=10537228 |website=RTBF Info |date=6 July 2020 |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref> The area will also have a new railway station<ref name="sor">{{cite web |language=en |title=SORASI {{!}} Flémalle-Neuve |url=http://www.sorasi.be/en/projects-in-progress/flemalle-neuve |website=sorasi.be |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref> on the Line 125A<ref>{{cite web |language=en |title=An stop on the 125A line at Val in Seraing or Flémalle Neuve: a choice will have to be made |url=https://www.sudinfo.be/id157793/article/2019-12-20/an-stop-on-the-125a-line-at-val-seraing-or-flemalle-neuve-a-choice-will-have-to-be-made |website=sudinfo.be |date=20 December 2019 |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref> towards [[Seraing]] and [[Liège]], as well as a [[footbridge]] over the [[Meuse (river)|Meuse]], next to the railway bridge.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |title=The former Duferco sites could become "Flémalle Neuve" |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_the-former-duferco-sites-could-become-flemalle-neuve?id=9241174 |website=RTBF Info |date=15 March 2016 |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

This project is currently in the study phase with a study on land pollution. It is estimated at around 72 million euros.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |title=New stage for "Flémalle-Neuve" |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/1339745/article/actualite/regions/liege/2016-10-11/new-stage-forflemalle-neuve |website=Le Soir |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

* Modernization of the Trixhes

This modernization project is intended to redevelop the entire district, including various roads and pedestrian areas, improving commercial, cultural, and social offerings, and addressing the high demand for housing in Flémalle.<ref>{{cite web |language=en-BE |title=Flémalle: 86 projects to be completed by 2024 – RTC Télé Liège |url=https://www.rtc.be/flemalle_86_projects_to_be_completed_by_2024-1501354-999-89.html |website=rtc.be |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref> The neighborhoods of Unit IV have been vacant for several years but are still developable. The XV Bonniers will see about thirty new housing units.<ref group="SC" name=":6">{{cite web |title=Territorial Development |url=http://economie.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/303/lang/en |website=economie.flemalle.be |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

* Eco-neighborhood of [[Mons-lez-Liège]]

Since the demolition of the old municipal school located at Place Mottard, the neighborhood has experienced disorganization despite its densification. The project aims to redevelop this square, with the creation of shops and housing, as well as a more sustainable mobility around the square. In fact, a whole eco-neighborhood will be created.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |first=DH Les |last=Sports+ |title=Flémalle: housing, commerce, and public spaces in Mons |url=https://www.dhnet.be/regions/liege/flemalle-housing-commerce-and-public-spaces-in-mons-5f91b2ea9978e231396cff84 |website=DH |date=27 October 2020 |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

* Sustainable Urban Development with sustainable methods

Flémalle aims to implement sustainable development methods by managing various aspects of urban planning and the environment, including the development of eco-districts and promotion of green spaces.<ref>{{cite web |language=en |title=The Mayor's perspective on the 2030 Project |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_2030-project-in-fl-malle |website=RTBF Info |date=14 October 2020 |accessdate=2021-02-25}}.</ref>

During the removal of the ashes, Engie found [[asbestos]] and therefore decontaminated the site.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Flémalle. Héna: la centrale électrique des Awirs à l'origine de l'amiante |url=https://www.lesoir.be/83553/article/2017-02-24/flemalle-hena-la-centrale-electrique-des-awirs-lorigine-de-lamiante |website=Le Soir Plus |date=24 February 2017 |access-date=2021-05-12}}.</ref> This discovery worried local residents who feared the possible consequences for their health<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Flémalle: des riverains inquiets par l'amiante au terril du Héna |url=https://laprovince.sudinfo.be/263070/article/2018-08-07/flemalle-des-riverains-inquiets-par-lamiante-au-terril-du-hena |website=Édition digitale de Mons |date=7 August 2018 |access-date=2021-05-12}}.</ref> but analyses showed that asbestos was present in low quantities and posed no risk.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Flémalle: terril du Héna, des analyses rassurantes |url=https://lameuse.sudinfo.be/263630/article/2018-08-08/flemalle-terril-du-hena-des-analyses-rassurantes |website=Édition digitale de Liège |date=8 August 2018 |access-date=2021-05-12}}.</ref> The asbestos is being treated, and clean soil is separated from asbestos-contaminated soil.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Le terril du Hénâ – Traitement de l'amiante |url=https://corporate.engie.be/fr/about/engagement-societal/le-terril-du-hena/traitement-amiante |website=ENGIE |access-date=2021-05-12}}.</ref>

The mayor of [[Engis]], Serge Manzato, participates in the meetings of the Steering Committee.<ref name=":19">Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du terril du Hénâ'', March 2016.</ref> Indeed, the Hénâ site is located right next to the municipality of Engis.

In March 2016, 50% of the first phase of the work was completed.<ref name=":19" /> In April 2016, the [[conveyor belt]] began to be constructed (a [[helicopter]] was present for some maneuvers of the large-scale project)<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Spectaculaires manœuvres sur le terril du Hénâ à Flémalle |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_spectaculaires-man-uvres-sur-le-terril-du-hena-a-flemalle?id=9364727 |website=RTBF Info |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=2021-05-12}}.</ref> and air quality checks started and will be carried out throughout the project.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du terril du Hénâ'', April 2016.</ref> In May 2017, 2% of the ashes were removed, which represents 20 [[barges]].<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site de Hénâ'', May 2017.</ref> In October 2017, 4% of the ashes were removed and 63 barges departed for cement manufacturers.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site du Hénâ'', October 2017.</ref> In January 2018, more than 5% of the ashes were removed, filling 100 barges.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site du Hénâ – 12'', January 2018.</ref> In June 2018, 170,000 tonnes were evacuated.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site du Hénâ – 13'', June 2018.</ref> In March 2019, 285,000 tonnes were evacuated.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site du Hénâ – 14'', March 2019.</ref> In November 2019, 420,000 tonnes were evacuated, representing 18% of the ashes, with 285 barges sent to the Liège cement manufacturers.<ref>Engie Electrabel, ''Votre avenir: Lettre d'information aux riverains du site du Hénâ – 15'', November 2019.</ref>

=== Industrial Risks and Pollution ===
In 2009, there were no [[Seveso Directive (disambiguation)|SEVESO]] sites in the municipality. The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR)<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-PRTR |url=https://prtr.eea.europa.eu/#/home |website=prtr.eea.europa.eu |access-date=2021-02-25 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608211221/https://prtr.eea.europa.eu/#/home |url-status=dead }}.</ref> listed four sites: ArcelorMittal Steel Belgium S.A. Eurogal (metal surface treatment); ArcelorMittal Steel Belgium S.A. Flémalle Ramet ([[galvanization]]); Electrabel Centrale des Awirs ([[combustion]]); Segal S.A. (hot-dip galvanizing of steel sheets). In 2004, there were two nuclear zones distributed across the municipal territory.<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />

In 2007 and 2009, there was a site to be redeveloped (SAR) whose cleanup was recognized as a priority (Cokerie Flémalle), five landfills of which three were unrehabilitated, and five service stations with potentially contaminated soil out of 12 service stations.<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />

=== Transportation and Communication Routes ===
[[File:Flémalle Réseau routier.png|thumbnail|The road and rail network of Flémalle:
{{Legend|black|Flémalle boundaries}}
{{Legend|red|Motorway}}
{{Legend|orange|Major road}}
{{Legend|green|Primary network}}
{{Legend|blue|Secondary network}}
{{Legend|grey|Railways}}
]]Flémalle is a municipality located a few kilometers from Liège and [[Seraing]], situated in an important urban and economic hub. To the north of the municipality is the [[European route E42]], which separates the municipality from the [[Liège Airport]], in the center, the developed quays of the Meuse, and to the south, a national road connecting the [[Condroz]] municipalities.

==== Road Network ====
The road network in Flémalle is quite unique. The main connections run from west to east, with some major roads extending from the left bank of the Meuse to the north and only one running from the Meuse to the south of the municipality. The rest of the network, both tertiary and secondary, revolves around the various urban and economic hubs of the region. In the eastern part of the territory, a more complete secondary and tertiary network is found due to its proximity to [[Seraing]].

The Walloon Motorway acts as a border with [[Grâce-Hollogne]]. The National Route 677 connects the entire municipality to the motorway, via exit 4 (Flémalle), which also allows passage under the motorway to reach the airport and [[Horion-Hozémont]]. This same national road serves [[Mons-lez-Liège]] and Les Cahottes via a [[roundabout]], Les Trixhes and the center of Flémalle, and continues to Ivoz-Ramet passing over the weir. It climbs up the south of Flémalle, known as Route de France, passing through Gros-Chêne. It ends at the intersection with Route du Condroz (N63) just past the center of Neuville-en-Condroz. A 2x2 lane tunnel allows passage under the Thier des Trixhes.
[[File:20110809 flemalle05.jpg|thumbnail|The National Route 90 from National Route 677, above the trémie, towards [[Liège]].]]
National Route 90, which connects [[Huy]] to [[Liège]], runs along the right bank of the municipality. It connects [[Engis]] to the [[ArcelorMittal]] site in Ramet, Ivoz, the center of Seraing, and Liège. National Route 617 connects Engis to [[Jemeppe-sur-Meuse]], passing by the Tubemeuse site of the ArcelorMittal group, known as Quai du Halage. With this national road and National Route 90, Chaussée de Ramioul, continuing from those of Ramet and Ivoz, also follows a west-to-east direction and connects Engis to Ramioul, Ramet, and Ivoz to Val Saint-Lambert, Seraing.
[[File:20110809 flemalle03.jpg|thumbnail|National Route 677 on the Ivoz-Ramet Weir, towards European Route E42.]]
Other significant routes include Rue des Awirs (connecting Engis to [[Awirs]] up to [[Horion-Hozémont|Hozémont]] passing through [[Gleixhe]] under the motorway), Rue d'Otet (connecting Les Trixhes to the Awirs), Rue de l'Alouette, Jean-Louis Adam, E'Tiyou, Harckay (connecting exit 4 to Jemeppe passing through Mons-lez-Liège), Rue du Thier Saint-Léonard (connecting Mons-lez-Liège to [[Hollogne-aux-Pierres]]), Rue de Flémalle-Grande and Rue de la Fontaine (forming a large roundabout in one-way traffic connecting the bottom of Flémalle-Grande to Profondval), and Grand'Route (serving the entire center of Flémalle).
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Flémalle's Road Network Compared to the Walloon Road Network (2005)'''<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />
! rowspan="2" |Category
! colspan="2" |Municipal Territory
!Wallonia
|-
!'''Length (km)'''
!Density (km/km2)
!Density (km/km2)
|-
|Motorways
|2.5
|0.07
|0.05
|-
|Regional Roads
|25.6
|0.70
|0.45
|-
|Municipal Roads
|251.2
|6.85
|2.86
|-
|Total
|279.3
|7.61
|3.36
|}

The town of Flémalle commissioned the sculptor Robin Vokaer to create a masterful piece, Le Cœur in steel, installed at exit 4 of the E42 highway. (GPS Coordinates: 50°37’28.5″N 5°25’46.2″E).<ref>{{cite web |title=ROBIN VOKAER {{!}} Metal |url=http://robinvokaer.com/metal/ |website=robinvokaer.com |access-date=2021-04-04}}.</ref> [[File:Robin-Vokaer-le-cœur-ville-de-Flemalle.jpg|thumb|Le Cœur, created for the municipality of Flémalle. Exit 4 of the E42 highway. GPS Coordinates: 50°37’28.5″N 5°25’46.2″E]]

==== Bridges ====
[[File:20170415 engis055.jpg|thumbnail|The Engis bridge with its stairwell on the right, heading south from Flémalle.]]
Despite the reasonable width of the Meuse River, only two bridges span the river within Flémalle's territory: the Ivoz-Ramet dam bridge and a [[railway bridge]]. Another bridge, the Val Saint-Lambert bridge, once spanned the Meuse but was destroyed. A [[footbridge]] is expected to be put into service after the construction of the new Flémalle-Neuve neighborhood.<ref group="SC" name=":5" /> Besides these bridges, the Engis bridge, located a little over 500 meters west of the municipality, can be mentioned.
[[File:20110809 flemalle01.jpg|thumbnail|The Ivoz-Ramet dam bridge from the right bank of the Meuse. In the background, on the right, the [[Hydropower|hydroelectric power station]].]]
The Ivoz-Ramet dam bridge is a structure built between the 1960s and 1980s; the initial structures were destroyed during [[World War II]]. The dam bridge was not yet a bridge but was equipped only with [[Lock (water navigation)|locks]]. On the left bank of the Meuse, there is a hydroelectric power station fed by the dam. It is the most frequented hydraulic structure in the Walloon navigable network. Between 2010 and 2014,<ref>{{cite web |title=CANEVAS {{!}} Architects and Engineers – New Lock at Ivoz-Ramet |url=http://www.canevas.be/projets/3984/3984.html |website=canevas.be |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref> it was renovated to allow for increasing river traffic.<ref>{{cite web |title=General Directorate of Mobility and Hydraulic Infrastructure – News |url=http://voies-hydrauliques.wallonie.be/opencms/opencms/fr/vn/news/index.html |website=voies-hydrauliques.wallonie.be |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref>

The railway bridge supports both [[freight train]] and [[passenger train]] traffic. The bridge crosses the Meuse and the Quai du Halage, heading towards the Tubemeuse site of ArcelorMittal, the Flémalle-Haute and Leman stations, towards Flémalle, and the Seraing station, towards Seraing.

The Val Saint-Lambert bridge was a stone bridge built by the Compagnie du Nord Belge in 1846. The bridge was a railway bridge with a unique feature, a [[Toll (fee)|toll]] for pedestrians crossing to work at the Cristalleries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Means of Communication |url=http://kiminvati.com/paysdemeuse/Pages/ZDIV7CPj3.php |website=kiminvati.com |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref>

The only drivable bridge in the municipality is separated by orthodromic distances of 4.1&nbsp;km from the Engis bridge and 4.5&nbsp;km from the Seraing bridge.

==== Rail Network ====
[[File:Flémalle-Haute - Gare de Flémalle-Haute.jpg|thumbnail|Flémalle-Haute station, the only example of this architectural style in Belgium.]]
Flémalle is at the junction of the railway lines from Namur to Liège and Liège to Flémalle. The Flémalle-Haute station is the only station on the Flémalle-Liège line, while the Namur-Liège line has three Flémalle stations. Between 2003 and 2005, an average of 1,292 passengers used the Flémalle stations, and in 2006, there were 1,523.<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />

[[File:ED 170 - Environs de Compiègne - Estrés Saint Denis - La Gare.jpg|thumbnail|Estrées-Saint-Denis station on a [[postcard]], an exact replica of Flémalle-Haute station.]]

Flémalle-Haute station is operated by the [[National Railway Company of Belgium]] (SNCB) and is served by InterCity (IC), Suburbans (S), Omnibus (L), and Peak Hour (P) trains.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |title=Train Line Brochures in PDF {{!}} SNCB |url=https://www.belgiantrain.be:443/en/travel-info/prepare-for-your-journey/leaflets/lines-leaflets |website=belgiantrain.be |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref> The passenger building is the only one of its kind in Belgium, although similar buildings exist in some regions of France (such as [[Estrées-Saint-Denis station]]). It was inaugurated on 18 November 1850.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flémalle-Haute |url=http://www.belrail.be/F/infrastructure/gares/LFH.html |website=belrail.be |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref> Since the building has been empty for several years, an urban development project has been proposed, and housing is expected.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr-FR |first=Benjamin |last=Straet |title=Renovation of the Flémalle-Haute Station Building |url=http://www.pierreploumen.be/projets/renovation-du-batiment-de-la-gare-de-flemalle-haute/ |website=pierreploumen.be |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref>

The Leman station is served by Omnibus (L) and Peak Hour (P) trains. It is located at kilometer point (PK) 10.0 on the Liège to Namur line, just after Flémalle-Haute station. It is named Leman in honor of [[Gérard Leman|General Leman]], a Liège hero of [[World War I]].

The Flémalle-Grande station is served by the same trains as Leman station and is located at kilometer point (PK) 9.3 on the same line preceding Leman station. The following station is Jemeppe-sur-Meuse. The station is located near a shopping center with a Carrefour, a Krëfel, a Lunch Garden, and other stores.

In the Flémalle-Neuve development project, a new station will be built on the Liège-Seraing-Flémalle line,<ref name="sor" /> making it the fourth station in the municipality over 5.7&nbsp;km of railways, or one station approximately every 1.5&nbsp;km.

These two lines provide access to the [[Liège-Guillemins station|Guillemins station]] in Liège in about ten minutes. Given that this station is a major railway hub in the country, it can be concluded that Flémalle stations are well served.
[[File:20170430 flemalle038.jpg|thumbnail|The Chokier level crossing, one of the most accident-prone in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |first=DH Les |last=Sports+ |title=Level Crossing Removed at Chokier? |url=https://www.dhnet.be/regions/liege/passage-a-niveau-supprime-a-chokier-5d6e905bd8ad58612219a560 |website=DH Les Sports + |date=4 September 2019 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref>]]
The municipality has two [[level crossings]], one of minor importance and the other cutting [[Chokier]] in two. The latter is problematic. It is the third most accident-prone level crossing in Belgium; over the past ten years, there have been four accidents, two of which were fatal. [[Infrabel]], which manages the railway network infrastructure, would like to remove the level crossing by creating a tunnel a few hundred meters further, but the municipality is opposed to this project<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |title=Removing the Level Crossing: Flémalle Refuses, Infrabel Regrets |url=https://lameuse.sudinfo.be/480128/article/2019-11-27/supprimer-le-passage-niveau-flemalle-refuse-infrabel-regrette |website=Édition digitale de Liège |date=27 November 2019 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> because the part of the village on the north side of the railway would be isolated from the rest of the municipality. The mayor, [[Isabelle Simonis]], said that "removing the level crossing [...] seems to be a radical solution".<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |first=DH Les |last=Sports+ |title=Level Crossing Removal in Chokier: Negative Opinion |url=https://www.dhnet.be/regions/liege/suppression-du-passage-a-niveau-a-chokier-avis-defavorable-5ddbb100f20d5a0c46ed4626 |website=DH Les Sports + |date=25 November 2019 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> The controversy surrounding the level crossing dates back to Sunday, 10 January 2016, when a woman was struck by a train.<ref>{{cite web |language=fr |title=Controversy in Flémalle Following a Fatal Accident at a Level Crossing |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_polemique-a-flemalle-suite-a-un-accident-mortel-sur-un-passage-a-niveau?id=9182337 |website=RTBF Info |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> This fatal accident sparked a debate since it was not the first fatal accident. The level crossing provides access to Houlbouse Street, which is frequently used as a shortcut to descend from the Trixhes plateau.

{| class="wikitable"
|+The rail network of Flémalle compared to the Walloon rail network (2008)<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />
! rowspan="2" |Category
! colspan="2" |Municipal Territory
!Wallonia
|-
!Length (km)
!Density (km/km²)
!Density (km/km²)
|-
|Conventional Lines
|5.7
|0.15
|0.08
|-
|Freight Lines
|8.5
|0.23
|0.02
|-
|High-Speed Lines
|0
|0
|0.01
|-
|Total
|14.2
|0.39
|0.10
|}

==== Air Network ====
{{Main article|Liège Airport}}
Liège Airport is located to the north of the municipality, less than 100 meters away, in the territory of [[Grâce-Hollogne]]. Primarily focused on cargo transport, the airport also offers a few tourist destinations, which have been declining year by year. Indeed, cargo handling has become increasingly significant at the airport, making it the seventh-largest airport for cargo in Europe. Due to its geographical location between Paris, [[Brussels]], Antwerp, [[Rotterdam]], the [[Ruhr]] region, [[Luxembourg]], and Switzerland, the airport has become a hub and was chosen as a reference hub for Europe during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in the spring of 2020, and was awarded the title of "Best Cargo Airport in the World for 2020" that same year.

Flémalle benefits economically from this with several economic and industrial zones, including the Arbre Saint-Michel zone, a few hundred meters from the airport, where transportation companies, [[E-commerce|online businesses]], and large companies like Mithra are located.

In addition to the economic development of the municipality, some local areas, such as Les Cahottes or En Cowâ, experience noise pollution from both the highway and the airport.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr-FR |first=Liege |last=Airport |title=Noise Impact {{!}} Liege Airport |url=https://www.liegeairport.com/flexport/fr/donnees-techniques/impact-sonore/ |website=Cargo |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref> The consequences are visible when walking through the streets of Cahottes, with many abandoned houses bought by the airport and some demolished. One of the most striking consequences is the abandonment and destruction of the village of Rouvroy in Grâce-Hollogne, located on the other side of the highway.

This noise pollution tends to drive residents away from these areas; some have moved to [[Donceel]], but airport development has brought noise there as well.<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=Liège: the residents' fight against airport noise resumes |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_liege-le-combat-des-riverains-contre-les-nuisances-de-l-aeroport-reprend?id=10631028 |website=RTBF Info |date=13 November 2020 |access-date=2021-02-23}}.</ref>

==== Waterway Network ====
[[File:20170430 flemalle059.jpg|thumbnail|View of the ArcelorMittal site near the dock, along the Meuse and the freight railway, from above the village of [[Chokier]].]]
Flémalle is traversed from east to northeast by the [[Meuse (river)|Meuse]]. The river provided strong economic appeal to the municipality in the past, with activities related to coal mining, coal mines, and the [[metallurgy]] and [[steel industry]]. In addition to this rich history, the municipality today experiences another form of activity along the Meuse. Indeed, as the decline of [[ArcelorMittal]]'s sectors accelerates in Belgium,<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=ArcelorMittal to abandon its "steel center" in Flémalle |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_lev-groupe-arcelormittal-va-deserter-son-centre-acier-a-flemalle?id=9932918 |website=RTBF Info |date=31 May 2018 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> the municipality has turned towards the autonomous port of Liège, the third-largest [[Inland port|river port]] in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autonomous Port of Liège {{!}} WalEurope |url=http://europe.wallonie.be/node/44 |website=europe.wallonie.be |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> Therefore, redevelopment work was carried out between 2010 and 2014 on the Ivoz-Ramet weir, to streamline river traffic and allow the passage of larger vessels.
[[File:20110809 flemalle07.jpg|thumbnail|View of the weir locks and industrial center, on the left, towards [[Liège]].]]
The Flémalle port areas associated with the autonomous port of Liège are the Awirs port (left bank), the Flémalle port (right bank), and the Ivoz-Ramet port (right bank) shared with Seraing.

The Meuse is bordered on both sides by National road 617 and 90. Upstream and downstream along the Meuse, you can find the quarry [[Carmeuse]] [[Engis]] (the port is located in Engis, and quarrying is on both communes), the biomass power plant of the Awirs (left bank, currently being converted into a gas power plant<ref>{{Cite web |language=fr |title=It's confirmed: the Engie group wants to use the Awirs for a gas power plant |url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/liege/detail_c-est-confirme-le-groupe-engie-veut-utiliser-les-awirs-pour-une-centrale-au-gaz?id=10589663 |website=RTBF Info |date=21 September 2020 |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref>), the Yacht Ski Club Flémalle (left bank), the Intermunicipal Waste Treatment Association of the Liège Region (right bank, along the [[dock]]), Segal, [[ArcelorMittal]], and Arceo (right bank, near the dock), Inter Beton (left bank), the Ivoz-Ramet weir with its two locks and the hydroelectric plant (left bank), the [[Arcelor]] group and an economic center with several industries (left bank), and the Ivoz-Ramet port (right bank).

The Meuse is the only navigable river in the municipality.

==== Cycling Network ====
The cycling network in the municipality is poorly arranged due to the [[topography]] of the area. Only the lower part, the Trixhes plateau, and the Awirs center would be easily navigable by bike.

The [[RAVeL network]] is present in the municipality, with the RV8b connection, a road link running behind the railway south of Awirs, going up to National road 617 to Chokier, and then following the railway line up to [[Jemeppe-sur-Meuse|Jemeppe]] via small roads in the municipality. There is also the EV19 connection, from Engis to the weir, passing through Ramioul, Ramet, and Ivoz. The most important cycle path is the RAVeL along the Meuse, partially following the quays up to Engis, connecting [[Namur]] to [[Liège]]. This RAVeL shares its cycle path with the [[EuroVelo 3]], linking [[Trondheim]] ([[Norway]]) to [[Santiago de Compostela]] (Spain).

There are several paved and unpaved paths throughout the municipality, allowing for relative accessibility for short trips.

There are several cycling clubs of all types in Flémalle.

==== Pedestrian Network ====
There are pedestrian networks in some areas of the municipality. For example, in Trixhes, there is a particularly developed network in the city, passing under National road 677 to connect with other nearby places.<ref name=":3"/> There are other paths outside Trixhes connecting cul-de-sacs to the rest of the road network. In the project to redevelop the town center, significant emphasis is given to pedestrians.<ref group="SC" name=":8">{{Cite web |title=The Master Plan |url=http://citoyen.flemalle.be/pages/index/index/id/990/lang/en |website=citoyen.flemalle.be |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> Sidewalks are generally well-maintained.

==== Public Transport Network ====
Flémalle is served by numerous [[Bus routes|bus lines]] operated by [[Transport operator of Wallonia|TEC]]. There are five terminal zones: Arbre Saint-Michel, the cultural center, Chaffours, Gros-Chêne, and the Cité. The lines connect to [[Liège]], [[Seraing]], [[Boncelles]], the bus station in [[Jemeppe-sur-Meuse|Jemeppe]], the center of Flémalle, [[Amay]], [[Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse|Saint-Georges]], [[Huy]], the Fagnes ([[Engis]]), Verlaine, and other medium-sized hubs. The territory east of National road 677, Les Trixhes, Chokier, and Ivoz are in zone 20, allowing easy transit to Liège and its most populous suburbs, while the rest of the municipality, i.e., west of the national road, Ramioul, Ramet, and Gros-Chêne, is located in zones 30 and 37 of the network. All lines are part of the TEC Liège-Verviers subsidiary.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TEC |url=https://www.letec.be/#/View/Plans_du_reseau/1068 |website=letec.be |access-date=2021-02-24}}.</ref> In 2009, there were 86 bus stops distributed across the territory.<ref name="2010_Service_publique_Wallonie" />

=== Former Public Transport Networks ===
==== Liège Vicinal Tramway ====
The [[vicinal tramway]] was a former [[tram]]way network connecting [[Liège]] and its [[suburbs]]. The only line passing through Flémalle was the one from [[Jemeppe-sur-Meuse|Jemeppe]] to [[Hannut]], which passed through [[Mons-lez-Liège]], then known as Mons-Crotteux. It was in service between 1905 and 1906 and was discontinued on 13 September 1959.

The line also passed through [[Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher]], [[Engis]], Ampsin, and Verlaine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A tram in Jehay! |url=http://www.hyperpaysagedejehay.be/vicinal.htm |website=hyperpaysagedejehay.be |access-date=2021-04-22}}.</ref>

A street in Mons-lez-Liège is named ''rue du Vicinal'' and provided access to the former coal mines of Arbre-Saint-Michel. A vicinal stop was located in Les Cahottes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Means of Communication: The Vicinals |url=http://kiminvati.com/paysdemeuse/Pages/ZDIV7CPj5k2.php |website=kiminvati.com |access-date=2021-04-22}}.</ref>

==== Liège-Seraing Economic Railways and Extensions (RELSE) ====
The Liège-Seraing Economic Railways and Extensions company was established in 1881 and disappeared in 1961. The line between Liège, Seraing, and Flémalle was newly opened in 1941 and closed 20 years later.

The line connected Place de la République française to Flémalle-Haute station.

==== Seraing Trolleybus ====
Flémalle was served by two [[trolleybus]] lines operated by the Liège-Seraing Economic Railways and Extensions (RELSE). One line connected the center of Seraing to Place François Gérard in Ivoz-Ramet, opposite the weir, and the other line connected the place to the Prayon Rupel factory in Engis and [[Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse]].

The line connecting to the Prayon Rupel factory crossed the weir, passed in front of Flémalle-Haute station, and went through the village of [[Chokier]].