Spatial management of contractors. An analysis of the industrial sites of the Louis De Waele enterprise in Brussels (1867-1988)

Due to the recent attention paid to general contractors, business historical insights have revived within construction history. To obtain a better understanding of the role these contractors played in shaping the built environment, the historical analysis also has to focus on their spatial conduct. Confronting different business historical sources enables an evaluation of the spatial management of a Brussels contracting firm, the Louis De Waele enterprise, active since 1867 until today. It started as a small family enterprise and evolved into one of the most important Belgian contracting firms until 1945. Its spatial management was highly influenced by external factors, especially the general construction activity. The insights make clear that analysing a contractor's spatial management forms a valuable perspective for business historical research into construction enterprises.