Editing Lokeren (section)

=== 18th century to 19th century ===
[[File:Ferraris Lokeren Kaart.png|thumb|left|Lokeren on the [[Ferraris map]] (around 1775)]]
After the [[French Revolution]], the area was made part of the new ''[[Escaut (department)|Département de l'Escaut]]'', with Lokeren at the head of a [[Cantons of France|canton]]. This did not last long as the department was split in 1800 and Lokeren made part of the arrondissement of [[Dendermonde]]. [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon Bonaparte]] promoted the town to the status of city in 1804.

In the 18th century, Lokeren, except for Ghent, had the most inhabitants of East Flanders, the then ''Département de l'Escaut''. This demographic expansion was the result of the favorable economic climate. However, the population density was lower than in [[Sint-Niklaas]], for example.

In the course of the 18th century, trade over water in Lokeren increased. As a result of this increasing practice, a meander of the Durme was cut off near the Buylaers. The muted meander is visible on the [[Ferraris map]]. In 1725 the Church of Saint Laurence was built on the Markt.[[File:Briefkaart de Durme in Lokeren.jpg|thumb|left|The port of Lokeren on the ''Grote Kaai'' at the end of the 19th century]]

[[File:Lokeren - Stationstraat - 1920.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Stationstraat'' with a view of the station]]
In December 1845, the college of aldermen asked the governor whether the city could build a station and a railway bridge over the Durme. This was necessary to create employment after the failed harvest so that the affected families could provide for themselves. The urban image of Lokeren was radically changed by the construction of a station along the Ghent-Antwerp railway. The station opened on 7 August 1847 and was located north of the Durme, in the lake area, just under 400 meters from the Markt. This station was equipped for both goods and passengers. Not much time later, the station was divided into two stations, Lokeren station and Dender & Waas station. The station building itself survived until it was destroyed during World War II.

With the opening of this station and the construction of Stationsstraat, new neighborhoods were constructed on the left bank of the Durme. In the 19th century, the hamlet of [[:nl:Heirburg|Heirburg]] was completely connected to the center.

In the 19th century, Lokeren was booming industrially. The industrial buildings in Lokeren were rarely larger than 4 ares. In Lokeren people did not feel compelled to build factories because the cottage industry was still sufficiently profitable. Lokeren mainly focused on conservative craft sectors: the millinery and linen bleaching. This kept the city up until the early 20th century. Larger factories were later constructed.

At the end of the 19th century, this favorable course came to an end for Lokeren. Other East Flemish cities such as Aalst and Sint-Niklaas took the lead.